Ijaw Insist On Compensation For Nembe Oil Spill Victims

THE Ijaw Elders’ Forum ( IEF) and the Ijaw Nation Forum ( INF) have accused the Federal Government of being insensitive to the plights of communities affected by the recent oil spill at Santa Barbara 1 well in Nembe, Bayelsa State.

The groups said it was surprised that the Federal Government was yet to pay compensation to the affected communities or address the environmental damages arising from the spillage months after it occurred.

They, therefore, urged the government to commence necessary remedial actions in the affected communities without further delay.

In a statement jointly signed by the Secretary of the IEF, Pastor Efiye Bribena, and the Moderator of the INF, Mr. Ben Amaebi Okoro, the groups reminded President Muhammadu Buhari that the spill occurred over three months ago yet no remedial action had taken place.

“We have not heard or seen any tangible effort from the Federal Government on the restoration of the environment and on payment of compensation to the impacted communities.

What is the Federal Government doing to assure the impacted communities that they are not left to their fate?” they asked.