By SUNDAY BASSEY

Some youths from the six communities hosting the Dakkada Global Oil Palm Limited, have picketed the firm’s entrance over alleged marginalisation.

The youths came from host communities such as: Etebi Idung Assan, Ntak Inyang, Orukin, Unyenghe, Udung Ukpo and Akwata,

The protesters who openly demanded immediate creation of employment opportunities for indigenes, carried placards with different inscriptions.

Some of the placards read: “No single employment of indigene during this administration”, “Don’t harvest our palm fruits for sales to your community again”

The spokesman for the protesters, Mr Anietie Matthew accused the firm of poor management of the plantation and failure to promote the welfare of host community residents.

Matthew, also the President, Etebi Idung Assan Youth Association, said that the company was only interested in tapping resources from the community.

He said that officials of the firm collected money from host community women for sale of palm fruits but refused to deliver the goods to them.

Another youth leader, Mr Uduak Inyang, said that the company had hugely mismanaged the plantation.

“The equipment at the old mill within the facility has been vandalised. The roofs in some structures have been removed,” he said.

Inyang, also the President of Urueffong-Uruko Youths, urged Gov. Umo Eno to intervene in the interest of the people’s well-being.

He urged the firm to stop further harvesting of palm fruits from the plantation until the grievances of the host communities were addressed.

When contacted, officials of the company did not respond to their calls. (NAN)

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