Fishermen and other residents of communities affected by the Bonga oil spill in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, and Ondo states have again appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the prolonged delay in the disbursement of the $1 billion indemnity funds paid as compensation for victims of the disaster.
In a joint statement yesterday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, by Omogbemi Jeremiah and Jeje Olamiyeye, on behalf of the affected fishermen and communities, the fishermen said they had suffered severe economic losses as a result of the oil spill.
They pleaded with President Tinubu to order the committee on compensation to facilitate the immediate release of the funds to the affected communities.
The fishermen said the prolonged delay in accessing the compensation had frustrated them and other residents whose livelihoods were disrupted by the environmental disaster.
According to them, the Niger Delta has continued to demand the release of the compensation fund, stressing that the affected communities have waited for years for the financial relief.
‘We, the Niger Delta fishermen, are still demanding the release of the fund,’ they said.
The fishermen also urged President Tinubu to direct the relevant committee to conclude whatever processes were delaying the disbursement and ensure that the money reaches the affected fishermen and other residents.
‘We beg Mr. President to order the committee constituted to please facilitate the disbursement of the fund to the affected communities,’ the statement said.
The fishermen also urged the President to direct the head of the committee and its members to release the compensation reportedly secured in connection with the December 20, 2011 Bonga oil spill.
They said the affected fishermen have been waiting for the compensation for several years, adding that the delay has compounded the difficulties faced by communities whose livelihoods depend largely on fishing and other activities connected to the aquatic environment.
The Bonga oil spill reportedly occurred due to an incident at Shell’s Bonga offshore oil field in December 2011. The incident resulted in the release of crude oil into the Atlantic Ocean and triggered concerns over its impact on marine life, fishing activities, and coastal communities.
The affected fishermen said the consequences of the spills were particularly significant for communities whose residents depend on fishing for their livelihoods.
They argued that the compensation was intended to address the losses the victims incurred and should be made available to the people it was meant for.
The fishermen urged the Federal Government to treat the matter as urgent, particularly because of the time that has elapsed since the incident occurred.
They also called for transparency in the handling and disbursement of the compensation, saying the affected communities should be properly identified and the beneficiaries allowed to get the funds due to them.
‘We, the Niger Delta fishermen, appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and direct the immediate release of the fund to the affected communities,’ they said.
The fishermen also urged the President to direct the relevant authorities to resolve any outstanding administrative or procedural issues surrounding the compensation.
They maintained that their appeal was not only about financial compensation but also about providing relief to communities that have borne the economic consequences of the oil spill.
They urged the committee handling the compensation process to engage directly with representatives of the affected communities and fishermen and ensure transparency in the disbursement to genuine victims.