Unocal regrets blockade by villagers

Oil and gas firm Unocal Indonesia Company regrets the blockade of its canal and gate by some 300 villagers from the Marangkayu, Terusan and Rapak Lama areas in Muara Badak, East Kalimantan, which has affected its operation in the Santan Terminal.

Unocal public relations official Samsulistyo said that negotiation approach would have provide a better solution.

The protesting villagers had made the blockade since Monday, last week, to demand a compensation for alleged environmental pollution which had caused damages to paddy fields, fish ponds etc., the local Kaltim Post daily reported.

But Samsulistyo said that Unocal had not caused any pollution to the area as also confirmed by the local Bapedalda office (environmental watchdog).

Samsulistyo also said that during previous negotiation talks Unocal had repeated its commitment to help the local people through various community development programs.

But he said that certain individuals insisted that they wanted the company to pay cash compensation for the alleged environmental pollution.

Samsulistyo said that Unocal had handed over the problem to the local authority and security because there was not agreement reached with the protesting individuals.

He said that the Santan Terminal was an asset to the province and a disruption in its operation would also cause losses to the province. (*)