Members of Finima community in Bonny Local Council of Rivers State, yesterday, defied heavy rains, and at about 3:00 a.m., shut down the operations of Saipem, Chiyoda and Daewoo (SCD) over alleged neglect of the multi-billion dollar Train-7 project embarked upon by the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited (NLNG).

Finima is the host community of the NLNG and its Train-7 project which is being constructed by the Saipem, Chiyoda and Daewoo JV. The $4.3 billion project, which was flagged off in 2021 by the Federal Government, is to said to have reached 67 per cent completion.

It is expected to increase NLNG’s gas production capacity by 35 per cent. The angry protesters, who lamented that they gave all they had (land) for the NLNG Train-7 project, regretted that it has been abandoned.

They demanded inclusivity, full implementation of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010, Community Content Guideline 2017, respect for the leadership of Finima, and display of vendors’ list approved for the community.

Meanwhile, in a reaction, the Acting General Manager (External Relations and Sustainable Development), Charles Epelle, said: “NLNG is aware that engagements to resolve the impasse amicably between counterparties are underway. NLNG is committed to inclusiveness in engaging with its esteemed stakeholders and calls for a peaceful resolution to perceived grievances.”

The protesters, who used red clothes and palm fronds to lock the entrance to the firm, vowed to occupy the scene until their requests are met.

Chairman of Finima Youth Congress, Shedrack Brown, lamented that several efforts by the community to have a dialogue with the JV companies over concerns were ignored.

He said: “Today, the entirety of Finima community has come out to express its displeasure over the neglect of Saipem/Daewoo; that is the Train-7 contractors who over time have decided not to have dealings with Finima.

“You would recall that in 2021, there was a ground breaking for the construction of LNG Train-7 Project, and NLNG in its wisdom brought the entire team of this project to Finima community for identification and engagement. But ever since that was done, till date, the team of SDJV has refused to have any dealings with Finima community.”

The youth leader accused the companies of refusing to turn up for meetings with the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, who had invited all parties for a dialogue. He said the community had no choice but to resort to self help through the protest.

Also, a community leader, Warisenibo Igbiwari Brown, lamented the neglect of the community by the companies. Brown said: “We do not have any representative here and their project is going on. As if that is not enough, we sent them some list of personnel for them to absorb, they ignored us, they refused to employ those persons.”

Secretary of Finima community women, Mrs Linda Brown and the General Secretary, Finima Youth Congress, Strong Ezekiel, both expressed displeasure at the alleged marginalisation of the community.