The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, on Wednesday shut down the distribution mast of telecommunications company, Airtel in Bayelsa State, for what it termed marginalization on the part of the company.
Staging peaceful protest in Yenagoa, the IYC demanded the reversal of the diesel supply contract awarded to a non-indigenous contractor.
Led by the National Director of Mobilization, Ari Fekorigha, and Special Assistant on Oil & Gas and Employment Generation to the National President of the IYC, Douyi Tonworimi Duere, the youths
demanded the immediate reinstatement of Dennison Systems Solution Limited, an indigenous contractor for the diesel supply contract to Airtel Nigeria in the state.
According to the youths, the company has had a positive impact on the community hosting the mast by way of award of scholarships and skills acquisition programs to members of the community.
They maintained that the engagement of a non-indigenous contractor to run the diesel contract was inappropriate, emphasizing the need for local content to be adhered to.
The IYC said failure to reinstate Dennison Systems Solution Limited would result in a permanent shutdown of the mast until further notice.
Duere said: "What informed this protest is the level of marginalization done to our people. On the 28 of July, we came here because of the same marginalization by the company, Airtel. The contract for the supply of the diesel to power the mast was taken from an indigenous contractor and given to a non-indigenous contractor.
"We felt that it was not right. In every system, there is recognition of indigenous contractors, which is local content, and we believe in that local content. It is not as if the indigenous contractor has been found wanting. He has been doing his job well and diligently to the company's interest.
"So, when we came here last month to barricade this place, we were persuaded to leave with assurances that the issue will be resolved and reversed. But a month after the company has not done the neededful. The agreement we had with the company has been breached. That is why we have come back to occupy this facility.
"The said company Dennison Systems Solution Limited has also been meeting up to its corporate social responsibility to the host community. So, we wonder why they want to forcefully change it.
"People say that our state is underdeveloped, and this is a clear case. When outsiders come to make money, they take it to their state. For us as IYC, this is our own way to ensure that the right thing is done because we are custodians and stakeholders, we couldn't have kept quiet."
