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Rep Urges Remediation Of Oil Spill Communities
House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, has called for the compensation and remediation of communities impacted by activities of oil exploration and exploitation to ameliorate the long term effects of spills, occasioned by these activities on local inhabitants.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, who made the call in a statement, last Saturday, also said whatsoever compensations that would be put in place shall capture the interest of even unborn children and would guarantee adequate livelihoods for the people.
According to him, ”In this regard, the Committee is not only concerned about the urgent imperative for adequate compensation and environmental remediation but importantly about ameliorating the longer term effects of the spills on local inhabitants, including the unborn while guaranteeing livelihoods for those affected at the instant moment”.
“The Committee expressed dismay at the grave distortions and desecration of the environment as well as the grievous discomfort, dislocation and despair the spills have affected in the lives and living conditions of citizens and residents of the affected communities”, he continued.
Dekor noted that already, Reps Committee on Host Communities, has enjoined oil companies and regulatory agencies to ensure that environmental justice is served to host communities that have suffered oil spills in the country.
Chairman of the Committee, stressed that the Committee would double its efforts to ensuring that environmental justice is served and restoration of livelihoods for communities that have suffered oil spills.
Dekor, assured that the Committee would ensure that communities with other forms of negative environmental impact from petroleum exploration and production activities, get justice.
He disclosed that the House has mandated the Committee to ensure the welfare and protection of rights of oil mineral producing communities, hence, has activated measures to intervene on the issue of oil spills to ensure that justice is done.
He lamented, “The Committee is deeply concerned about reports of denials and counter-denials by companies, communities and regulatory agencies of government and the consequent import of lack of accountability and transparency in the management of oil spills, which invariably leave communities short-changed if not completely denied of compensation, remediation and assurance of continued economic livelihoods.”
He used the chance to appeal to affected “communities to keep calm and identify with all legal and meaningful interventions by relevant stakeholders to address the clearly unacceptable situation occasioned by the spills; and that it will certainly do all within its powers to cause positive and sustainable change in the narrative.”