Niger-Delta Coastal Communities (NDCC)? has threatened to shut down oil installations as more communities continue to be affected by the Bonga oil spill.
Communities affected were as at Thursday reported to have risen to 84.
This was made known by the NDCC President, Alaowel Afro Buikeme, in Asaba yesterday while briefing journalists that on expiration of the ultimatum issued to managements of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), within which to carry out proper clean-up of the Bonga oil spill in the affected communities, it may be left with no option than to shut down all oil installations.
“We are crying out to the government to help as it seems that both the government and Shell have abandoned those affected by the Bonga oil spill, and we gave ultimatum, let it be clear that on the expiration we shall have no option than to shut down all oil installations,” Buikeme said.
LEADERSHIP WEEKEND gathered some of the communities seriously affected are: Okuntu, Ifoye Gbene,? Okekiri Gbene, Agalakiri Gbene, Osain, Emlade Gbene, Pelebogouyou Sangha-Sargha Gbene, Soude-Ama, Okunpa Diegbegha-Gbene, Okuegbe Gbene. Others are: Okunagbo Serosu Zion, Arisibighe, Izuwugbene, Oboropolo, Gbene (I and 2) Igbe-Ama, Abalayo Gbene, Ade-Gbene Ollosimre and Oborom communities respectively.
In a petition addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan and a copy made available to journalists in Asaba, aggrieved residents of some of the communities appealed to the president to come to their aid, adding that if urgent steps are not taken to make peace with the affected communities, there might likely be a breach of law and order.
Meanwhile, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had in the last meeting with host oil communities raised alarm over incessant pipeline vandalisation and warned those behind the act to desist as security agents were directed to bring to book any person found in the act.