Women stage nude protest at Port Harcourt refinery over exclusion from deal
A group of women from the Alesa community in Rivers State staged a nude protest at the Port Harcourt Refining Company. They are opposing a recent Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited and two Chinese firms. The women accuse the Federal Government and NNPCL of excluding host communities from negotiations about the refinery's future. Community leaders say they have not benefited from the refinery despite decades of oil and gas operations.
What we know
- Women and youths from the Alesa community barricaded the refinery gate, protesting their exclusion from the recent agreement involving NNPCL and Chinese firms.
- Chief Mrs. Catherine Abbey-Wai said the community has sacrificed land and livelihoods for the refinery without receiving benefits.
- Protesters demand the reconstitution of the Joint Community Relations Committee and greater inclusion in refinery discussions.
- Elizabeth Bouro stated that the protest will continue until the government addresses their concerns and includes the community in negotiations.
- The Port Harcourt Refining Company has remained non-functional for decades, despite multiple rehabilitation efforts and significant financial investments.
