The Koluama I and II communities in Southern-Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa, impacted by the Chevron facility explosion, have appealed for immediate resettlement.
The traditional rulers of the two communities, His Royal Highnesses J.T.C. Leghemo and Ogboin Mienye, made appeal in their separate addresses when Gov Seriake Dickson visited the communities to assess the impact.
A statement signed by Ms Rosemary Oputa,? the Senior Information Officer in the deputy governor’s office, made available to newsmen in Yenagoa on Tuesday, said that the communities had appealed to the government to alleviate their plight.
They urged the state government and Chevron to arrange for the evacuation and resettlement of the people in the affected communities.
They stressed the need for the involvement of experts to assess the extent of damage caused by the explosion to their environment.
The communities also asked Chevron to take immediate steps to contain the spread of the pollution of their water and to also provide the people with potable water.
They also urged Chevron to immediately stop the raging flames and clean up the environment, to restore it to its original state, send relief materials and medical teams to the people.
Responding to the peoples’ plight, Dickson who was represented by his Deputy, Rear Adm. Gboribiogha Jonah (rtd.) assured them of the state of government's resolve to fight for their protection and welfare.
Dickson said that the state government expected the best practice fromChevron.
He called on the oil company to immediately clean up the environment and restore sanity to the area to allow the people resume their fishing activities, their only source of livelihood.
The governor also used the opportunity to commend the people of Koluama I and II for their peaceful conduct in spite of the negligent attitude of the oil firm.
NAN recalls that on Jan. 16, 2012, a well head blow out caused an explosion at the K.S. Endeavour Rig operated by Chevron and located at Apoi North Oil field in Koluama in the Southern-Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa.
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