IJAW communities in the Gbaramatu kingdom of Delta State, yesterday, threatened to halt operations of the Chevron Nigeria Limited in their area.
The latest development, which suggest that the face-off between the communities and the company was not yet over followed an alleged refusal of CNL to pay compensation for the August 2006 spill that impacted nine communities, including Benikrukru and Kokodiagbene in Warri South West local government
Aggrieved indigenes of the communities who spoke to Vanguard, yesterday, claimed that the company was planning to shortchange them by avoiding key areas in the due process of compensation payment and clean up of the affected communities.
Supervisory Councillor, Warri South -West Legislature, Hon. Gbabo Okirika, accused CNL of operating double standards and neglecting its responsibilities to the affected communities. He said that the company planned to pay a miserly N100million as compensation for the spill of over 1,500 barrels, describing it as �devilish and fraudulent on the part of management of the company.�
He called for a comprehensive process that would involve the council�s Committee on Environment, Delta State Environmental Protection Agency and other relevant federal ministries, warning that the action of the company was threatening the fragile peace in the area, ahead of the general elections.
�I am calling on the Delta State Governor, His Excellency, Chief James Ibori, to use his good office to wade into this matter and save my people from the antics of a wicked firm, which has not shown any sign of taking up its responsibility in this matter�, he said.