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.