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Protests at Nigerian oil giant
15/05/2007 17:55 - (SA)
Lagos - Protesting youths demanding jobs and social amenities briefly occupied US oil giant Chevron's office in southern Nigeria's oil city of Warri, a company spokesperson said on Tuesday.
"The problem has been resolved. The youths have vacated the facility," said Femi Odumabo.
The protesters barricaded the entrance of the company's main office in Warri on Monday, chanting war songs before driving away the staff.
Press reports said the protesters were demanding jobs and provision of facilities for the oil-rich but under-developed Niger delta where several oil majors operate.
The Niger Delta, a swathe of swamps and creeks and the size of Scotland, is home to Nigeria's multi-billion-dollar oil and gas industry, but majority of its inhabitants live on less than one dollar per day.
The situation has fanned regional agitation and unrest by various militant groups seeking a higher share of the country's oil wealth for the local people, and some for ransoms after hostage-takings.
'Suspended activities'
About 150 foreign and local workers have been kidnapped in the past two years in the region, while this month alone has seen more than 30 abductions.
Dozens of Nigerian security officers have also been killed, while most oil firms have shut down their operations because of the unrest.
Chevron suspended non-essential activities at the weekend in the region after four of its expatriate workers - US nationals - were seized from a construction vessel.
The US group produces 360 000 barrels of Nigeria's daily output of 2.6 million barrels, a quarter of which is cut back because of the Niger Delta crisis.
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