Brass—Chiefs of Twon-Brass Kingdom in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, today matched to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) Brass Terminal Gate to protest what was described as a protracted power outage experienced in the community.
Agip as an operating oil company in the community has been responsible for the supply of electricity to Twon Brass and other neighbouring towns.
Mangropen.ng gathered that while addressing staff of the company, the Chairman of the Twon-Brass Chiefs Council, Chief Sam Ateke said they were in the terminal to protest persistent power outage, saying that until power was restored they will not leave the terminal gate.
Ateke who was a former Deputy Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly said the community has made enough sacrifice and cooperated with NAOC knowing the importance of the company not only to the Twon-Brass community but the entire country.
He expressed disappointment with the attitude of the company towards the community, noting that in the interest of peace they (chiefs) decided to ask the youths of the kingdom not to accompany them for the protest.
Ateke stated that the community will no longer accept the hide and seek attitude of the company, saying the community will take a different approach if things don’t change.
Responding, the Swamp Area Manager of the company, Mr Raphael Onosapkhor apologized for the power outage and explained that the problem was as a result of loss of gas pressure from the supply line.
He said there was a little improvement in the gas pressure, adding that brand new gas turbines have been installed to supply power to all the communities on the Brass Island.
Mr Onosapkhor said in few weeks normal power will be restored but in the intereem power will be rationed between parts of the community.
