BINABO VISITS COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY GAS EXPLOSION; CALLS ON CHEVRON TO PAY ADEQUATE COMPENSATION

Bayelsa State Acting Governor, Chief Nestor Binabo has called on Chevron Oil Company operating in the state to pay compensation to its host communities impacted by the recent gas explosion from one of its facilities.
Chief Binabo made the call when he visited Koluama clan in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area as well as Akassa in Brass Local Government Area of the state.
While addressing the chiefs, elders and people of Akassa, one of the impacted communities, the Acting Governor expressed concern over the devastation caused by the gas explosion, saying that it has caused grave health hazard and degradation to the ecosystem.
Chief Binabo said, since the incident occurred, Chevron has failed to demonstrate its social and corporate responsibility to the impacted communities as the explosion was as a result of the company’s negligence, stating that if something is not done to alleviate the plight of the people, government would seek redress through every available legal means.
He promised that government on its part, would send relief materials and a team of medical personnel as soon as possible towards providing succor to the people of the impacted communities and commended them for their peaceful conduct over the matter. Chief Binabo urged the people to continue to maintain the peace and be law- abiding.
In his remarks, the newly sworn-in Secretary to State Government, Professor Millionaire Abowei explained that the purpose of the visit was to enable government have a first-hand knowledge of the level of devastation caused by the explosion as well as to find out how the people were coping.
Speaking, Secretary to the Akassa Council of Chiefs, Chief Baralaye Kuleha expressed appreciation to the Acting Governor and his entourage for identifying with them.
Chief Kuleha explained that over 25 communities and settlements were impacted by the gas explosion in Akassa and that the operations of Chevron, has affected their health as well as the ecosystem.
At Koluama, the Chairman of the Chiefs Council, Chief Christian Munghabofa described the visit as auspicious and thanked the Acting Governor and his entourage for identifying with the community in their time of grief, noting that since the discovery of oil in 1963, the community has nothing to show for its contributions to the national coffers.
The Acting Governor was accompanied on the visit by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Millionaire Abowei as well as the Environment Commissioner, Chief Robert Enogha and his counterpart in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Benson Dadigi.
Later in an interview with Government House correspondents, the Acting Governor, Chief Nestor Binabo reiterated that everything would be done to ensure that the oil company pays adequate compensation to the impacted communities.
Chief Binabo stated that in addition to the relief materials the state government would provide to the people, further assistance would be sought from the National Emergence Relief Agency (NEMA), adding that the position of the state government on the matter would be communicated to the Federal Government.
It would be recalled that the gas explosion occurred at the Funiwa Oil facility of Chevron Nigeria Limited, on Monday, January 16, 2012.