Acting
Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Nestor Binabo, on Wednesday threatened
to sue Chevron Nigeria Limited if it failed to stop the environmental
crisis arising from its exploded oil rig in the Niger Delta.
Binabo asked the company to compensate host communities affected by the incident.
The acting governor, who visited Koluama clan, one of
the affected communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and
Akassa in Brass Local Government Area of the state, observed that the
gas explosion had caused health hazards in the area.
While addressing the people of Akassa, Binabo
lamented the degradation of the ecosystem by the exploded gas which was
still burning in the area.
He berated the company for failing to visit the scene of the incident since it occurred on January 16.
He said, “Since the incident occurred, Chevron has
failed to demonstrate its social and corporate responsibility to the
impacted communities even as the explosion was as a result of the
company’s negligence. If something is not done to alleviate the plight
of the people, government will seek redress through every available
legal means.”
He added that the government would send relief
materials and a team of medical personnel to alleviate the suffering of
the victims.
He commended the communities for their peaceful
conduct, urging them to remain law-abiding and promised to seek further
assistance for the communities from the National Emergency Management
Agency.
Source: PUNCH
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