Prominent construction firm Julius Berger has suspended its ongoing project at the DSC roundabout and PTI Junction in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. This decision comes in light of the nationwide protests against poor governance in Nigeria, primarily driven by concerns for worker safety and potential equipment damage.
Journalists observed that construction workers had been evacuated from the site two days prior to the protests.
A representative from Julius Berger stated, “We are not against peaceful protest but are concerned about violent protests where youths may burn tires, block roads, and deprive others of their rights. While they have the right to peaceful protest, others have the right to free movement.”
Human rights activist Harrison Itulua commented on the development, highlighting the risks violent protests pose to economic progress. “One of the dangers of violent protest is scaring developers away from the state and Nigeria at large. For instance, the Delta State Government has heavily invested in constructing flyovers within PTI Junction, Enerhen Junction, and DSC Roundabout,” he said.
Itulua noted that during monitoring of the protest exercise, Julius Berger evacuated the site to prevent potential hijacking by hoodlums. He urged for patience with the government, citing President Tinubu’s recent directive for NNPCL to sell crude oil to Dangote in naira as a positive step.
Reflecting on the violent protests during the ENDSARS movement in 2020, which led to significant destruction in Udu communities, Itulua stressed, “This is the reason we are calling for a peaceful protest.”
Discussion about this post