Angry Omadino Youths Shut Down NGIC Pipeline Site Over Jobs, Others

Tension flared in Omadino Community, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State on Friday, as angry youths chased workers of the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) from a gas pipeline replacement project site over alleged exclusion from employment opportunities and contract benefits.

The project, being executed by Melcurt Energy Limited on behalf of NGIC, has reportedly been ongoing for more than a year.

Community youths accused the company of sidelining Omadino despite being host community and 70 percent owners of the land where the project is being carried out.

Speaking during the protest, Youth Chairman, Joshua Ghereje, alleged that NGIC had initially promised to include Omadino youths in the project workforce after community leaders raised concerns when the project commenced.

Adding his voice, the Chief Priest of Omadino, Roland Yomere, described the community as an aboriginal settlement of the Warri Kingdom and insisted that promises made by project officials had not been fulfilled.

Also speaking, a community leader Mofe Abiodun expressed frustration over the company’s refusal to engage Omadino residents in meaningful discussions or provide jobs for qualified indigenes.

The protesters specifically accused the company of denying Omadino youths employment opportunities in key technical areas, including welding and fitting, while also excluding local contractors from participating in the project.

They vowed to remain at the project site until their demands are addressed, as they would no longer tolerate continued “marginalisation”.

As of the time of filing this report, officials of NGIC and Melcurt Energy Limited had not publicly responded to the allegations raised by the Omadino community.