Villagers block Caltex road

Villagers block Caltex road

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Residents of the village of Jurang, Rokan Hulu regency, Riau
have blocked the main access road to an oil field owned by
American PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia, according to a company
senior executive.

Caltex spokesman Poedyo W. Oetomo announced on Wednesday that
the road block occurred on Tuesday afternoon and was intended to
mount pressure on Caltex to asphalt the village's roads, which
are used by the company for its daily operations.

The locals complained about the amount of dust caused by the
unsurfaced road and argued that Caltex was responsible for
improving the road.

Local people also confiscated 20 pieces of heavy equipment
belonging to the company, Poedyo said.

Poedyo added that Caltex is basically reluctant to asphalt the
road because the road is mostly used by illegal loggers, which
the company holds responsible for the damage caused to the road.

Nevertheless, Caltex reached a settlement with the villagers
on Tuesday, agreeing that the company would asphalt some parts of
the road.

But, some villagers did not appear satisfied and called on
others to block the road.

Poedyo said Caltex operations went on as usual while
negotiations with the villagers were in progress.