Tuban villagers, Devon agree to avoid violent action

Rahayu villagers in Tuban Regency, East Java, on Monday reached an agreement with U.S. oil company Devon Energy to avoid violent action whenever the villagers wish to air their grievances to the firm.

The villagers met with representatives of Devon, which operates an oil field in Rahayu together with state oil and gas firm Pertamina, four days after hundreds of Rahayu residents tried to blockade the project. Nearly 20 villagers were injured, five seriously, when police troops opened fire to disperse them.

The two sides also agreed on Monday to appoint an independent party to determine whether the oil project had caused air and noise pollution. Devon agreed in the meeting to compensate Rahayu villagers if their project was found polluting the area.

They also agreed that Devon, through Tuban Joint Operating Body, will recruit locals to work at its project.

In the meeting however, Devon refused to give the villagers money for community development programs. The villagers eventually accept its offer to provide them 300 goats and irrigation water pumps.

The Rahayu oil field, which is located in Tuban JOB, is flowing some 12,000 barrels of oil per day. (*)