Community Youths Threaten Firm Over MoU

Some youths of Oparaeli family Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State have threatened to shut down the operations of Liquid Bulk Petroleum Limited over its refusal to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached with the family since 2014.
The youths made the threat during a protest at the company’s premises at Rumuolumeni.
Some of the placards carried by the protesters numbering over 50 read “Liquid Bulk why do you neglect Oparaeli family”, “Oparaeli family wants Justice”, amongst others.
Spokespersons of the family, Prince Boniface Oparaeli and Samuel Oparaeli said since 2014 when a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was entered into by the company and the family, the MoU had not been signed till date.
They said the MoU amongst other things stipulated the amount of money the company should pay to the family yearly over the piece of land occupying the issue of employment as skill acquisition programme for youths, adding that till date the company has refused to abide by the contents of the document because it was not signed.
They said the family will use all legitimate means to compel the company to sign and implement the memorandum of understanding with the view to implementing it.
Also speaking, Mr Charles Lucky Oparaeli urged the Rivers State Government, the security agencies and other stakeholders to wade into the matter to avoid a breakdown of law and order.