BAYELSA - YOUTHS SIEZE AGIP FACILITY

AGGRIEVED youths from Twon Brass, Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, on Monday, stormed the oil terminal operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company in the area and shut down production in the multi-billion naira facility.
Our correspondent gathered that the youths were protesting against the failure of the oil giant to implement the Global Memorandum of Understanding it reached with the community.
The angry youths besieged the facility at about 7am and barricaded the main entrance to the terminal.
Operatives of the Joint Task Force codenamed Operation Pulo Shield , were said to have monitored the demonstrationwhich was reportedly peaceful.
The protesters were said to be angry over a report that the oil company had begun implementation of the GMoU it entered with Okpoama community.
They were said to have accused the company of abandoning a similar GMoU itreached with their Brass community.
Sources told our correspondent that the youths had, in the agreement, demanded more employment opportunities, paymentof arrears to retirees of the company and handling the shore protection project in the area.
Though our correspondent could not reach the oil company for its reaction, the state government said it had brought the situation under control.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the government quickly intervened because of security implications of such protest.