Injuries, destruction as youths dislodge Finima protest at NLNG
Many persons were injured and property destroyed, yesterday as youths dislodged a peaceful protest by indigenes of Finima while picketing the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) in Bonny Island, Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State.
NLNG has often been caught in the web of conflict between the Finima community, which demands the company’s recognition as an autonomous host rather than being treated an an appendage of the Grand Bonny Kingdom.
The people of Finima accused NLNG of supporting the monarch of the Bonny Kingdom and seat of the kingship, Bonny Island in its corporate social responsibility benefits.
Dagodo Brown, Finima Youth Leader, said at the protest ground that host rights dues should be accorded the community while Bonny Youth Leader, Emmanuel Finecountry, corroborated that the protest was provoked by concern over who should be given more attention as NLNG host community between Bonny and Finima.
However, a prominent Finima stakeholder, who witnessed the clash said, “Some elders in Finima, who believe the groundbreaking for NLNG Train 7 would be done without them, sponsored the picketing of NLNG.
“Some Bonny youths were then mobilized to dislodged the Finima protesters. A fight ensued, which led to injuries on some victims, destruction of property, including Finima community bus that was razed and lockup shops vandalized in the community”.
General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, in the company’s response, noted that, “NLNG applies fairness and inclusiveness in engaging with its esteemed stakeholders in the community trusted partners and continues to maintain this position.
“NLNG remains fully committed to sustainable development in the kingdom, hinged on active community participation to drive initiatives and projects that positively impact the lives of the community”.
