Francis Sadhere
Affected communities of the Bonga Oil Spillage which took place in 2011, have resolved to withdraw all cases against Shell/SNEPCo, emphasizing on peaceful dialogue to settle the matter.
This resolution was taken in Warri, yesterday at the Niger Delta Communities Peaceful Dialogue Conference over the Shell Bonga Crude Oil Spillage of 20th December 2011.
The affected Niger Delta Communities unanimously agreed to withdrew all pending cases against Shell concerning the spillage, stressing that they can only get what they want through peaceful dialogue and not litigation.
They also resolved that Shell should pay adequate compensations to affected communities on the shore, adding that other surrounding communities outside the shore who come out with evidence of oil spillage should also be compensated.
The affected communities also appealed to the Federal and State Governments, NERMA, and Shell to provide relief materials to them, noting that the people are suffering untold hardship since the oil spilled into their communities.
Earlier in his opening speech, the Amananaowei of Aghoro II, HRH Ibamughan Binarede Ojukonsin, stressed that the affected communities have decided to speak in one voice so that Shell can give them what they want.
He said it was disheartening that Shell was denying responsibility of the spill since 2011, adding that even when it finally owned up and promised to pay them compensation, nothing has been done till date.
He lamented that despite taking so much from the communities, Shell has refused to develop the host communities, stressing that it was high time Shell did the right thing and start developing the areas.
He said; “We pray that the National Assembly and other relevant authorities and the oil companies get the re-awakening and understanding that we are not ready to go into litigations with Shell. We are ready to dialogue peacefully with them with one voice and let the whole world hear us. We are suffering because of our ecological zone. What we need is development in our communities.”
Speaking on the journey so far, Mr. Francis Monday of Gbutse Property Ltd, facilitators of the conference, said Shell has agreed to pay compensation to the affected communities on the shore only, adding that the Federal Government had approved the building of health center and borehole water to the affected communities.
Mr. Monday who alleged that Shell did not do a proper clean-up as the chemical used by shell was banned across the world and that no boom was dispersed to curtail the spill, said Shell should come out with a list of communities that took them to court so that they can dialogue.
He, however, said the company had already taken the matter to UK, adding that UK has taken over the case as investigations are ongoing to unravel the chemical allegation.
Those who attended the conference include community leaders, traditional leaders, youths and women from Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states.
