Youths from Koluama communities in Bayelsa State who boarded the North Apoi oil platform operated by Chevron over non-payment of compensation for the rig blowout have vacated the facility.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the January 2012 explosion sparked off a fire incident which burnt the oil rig for over 50 days before it was put out.
The unarmed youths, who insisted that they were on a peaceful protest to secure compensation for their communities, had boarded and occupied the facility on Sunday, demanding that Chevron accepts responsibility for the explosion.
Leghemo Ebrasin, Secretary of Koluama 2 Youths Association in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, told NAN on Tuesday that the youths vacated the platform on Monday.
Ebrasin said that the youths resolved to shift grounds to show that they were peaceful in the pursuit of compensation for victims of the 2012 rig fire.
He said: “After several unsuccessful peaceful attempts to resolve pending issues of the January 2012 gas fire incidents, Chevron has refused to take responsibility and rather the company is saying that the incident did not impact the people.
“It was Chevron’s insensitivity that compelled us to protest albeit in a non-violent way.
“We have vacated the rig and lawyers representing us are discussing with Chevron officials.
“The youths have all returned to the community and the Navy did not arrest anyone.
“We remain open to dialogue.”
In a statement, Deji Haastrup, Chevron’s General Manager in charge of Communications Policy, Government and Public Affairs of the oil firm, said that the company remained committed to dialogue in resolving conflicts.
Haastrup said: “Chevron Nigeria Limited confirms that on Monday September 15, 2014, some youths claiming to be from communities neighbouring our operations in Bayelsa, who illegally boarded our North Apoi platform off the coast of Nigeria, have vacated the facility peacefully.
“No one on the platform was harmed and there was no damage to the facilities.
“CNL continues to advocate respect for the Rule of Law and the use of constructive dialogue in the resolution of all issues.”
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