…threaten legal action against oil companies as state government appeals for calm
-By Olufunke Afolami
It has been a devasting effect on the people of Aiyetoro, Obenla, Orooto and other communities in Ilaje, Ondo State, southwest Nigeria, following oil spillage from crude oil exploration activities. It was gathered that the spillage occurred through marginal oil field operations in the coastal communities.
The occupation of these host communities is fishing of which they derive their livelihood, but for about a month, it is no longer business as usual as their only source of livelihood has been affected by the oil spill. Fishing is the main occupation of Ilaje and that is what the people do for a living.
Speaking on the ugly development, Benson Enukumehin, a community leader, said, “They must come quickly and we will get across to them, we will get to the root of this matter, they cannot sweep this under the carpet. They have to come and discuss with our people and talk with them and then negotiate.”
“For years they have been exploiting oil in the community, yet we cannot feel their presence, if nothing happens urgently, we shall do the needful and the company will hear from us when we file appropriate litigation against them.”
Those who are worst hit by the spillage are fishermen. Their nets were not only worn out by the intensity of the disaster; dead fishes kill by the spill littered the environment.
Residents of the communities are however demanding compensation and assistance to cushion the effect on them. “They have to find solution to this because it causes migration, most of our people are moving from here to another community. The challenges they are facing in the community is oil spillage. Everywhere is filed with oil, the government should intervene.”
The host communities are appealing to government to come to their aid. They are also seeking help for compensation from the oil companies operating in their locality to cushion the effect of the damage caused by the oil spillage. They threatened to take legal action if nothing is done.
Meanwhile, the people of the affected communities continue to count their losses, it is hope that government will urgently come to their aid.
A resident in one of communities reacted on the issue, “You saw their fishing gears, you saw all those things they are using. All of them are standstill, by now a good number of them should be at sea, they can no longer go.”
“You can see the level of spillage, which is hazardous to our people’s health. These people have come to explore and exploit our oil that God has given us for proper living and at the same time not ready to give us compensation”
The water they drink has also been contaminated living them at the mercy of neighbouring communities for access to drinkable water.
However, a representative of the Ondo State Government, Taiwo Oritsabome, made it known that the State Government has set up a committee to commence investigation into the incidence and it is waiting for the outcome of the report.
Oritsabome enjoined the communities to embrace peace and keep safe pending when the out come of the report is out as the State Government is handling the issue.
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