Residents and leaders of Kula Community in Rivers State have staged a peaceful protest at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt over the lingering crisis surrounding the MV Ambra oil vessel.
The protest was reportedly led by High Chief Sara-Igbe, who said the community had the capacity to respond to the situation if its grievances continued to be ignored.
The protesters accused the vessel’s operators of environmental pollution, failure to provide employment opportunities for indigenes and non-payment of contractors who allegedly supplied food, water and diesel during the vessel’s stay in the community.
According to the community leaders, the MV Ambra allegedly leaked crude oil into the environment for about two years, causing pollution and raising concerns about the impact on the livelihoods and wellbeing of residents.
They also alleged that the vessel’s operators failed to employ qualified sons and daughters of Kula despite the community’s proximity to the oil-related activities.
The dispute reportedly escalated when the vessel’s owners allegedly deployed six gunboats to retrieve it without first reaching an agreement with the community on compensation.
The protesters further claimed that one of the boats capsized during the incident, resulting in the deaths of 10 persons.
Demanding government intervention, the community called for the arrest and prosecution of those allegedly responsible for the deaths, as well as individuals found culpable in the reported environmental pollution.
The protesters maintained that their action was intended to draw the attention of the Rivers State Government to their grievances and secure justice for the affected community.
They are also seeking accountability over the alleged environmental damage, outstanding payments to contractors and the circumstances surrounding the fatal boat incident.
