Ogoni clean-Up: FG urged to consider compensation for pollution victims

Abiodun OBA

The Federal Government has been called upon to consider paying monetary compensation to individuals affected directly by oil pollution in Ogoni communities.

Stakeholders at a two-day workshop on the success indicators of the Ogoni Clean-Up project organised by the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development, with support from the Netherlands, made the clarion appeal and expressed the need to take records of those suffering various diseases as a result of the pollution.

A communiqué issued at the end of the event and signed by the Head, Environment and Conservation, Dr Samuel Kabari, indicated the need for social compensation in terms of provision of social amenities to affected communities.

“The clean-up, remediation and restoration of Ogoniland are fundamental human rights and the pollution of the environment has not only destroyed the livelihood of the people who reside in the area but has also posed a significant threat to the public health.

“This has caused various respiratory, skin and coronary diseases leading to the reduced life expectancy in the region.

“On the health success indicators, a registered number of cases of respiratory track disorder, acute/chronic bronchitis, miscarriages, infertility, birth defects and STDs should be taken in order to ascertain the success of the clean-up project in terms of the health of the people.

“Monetary compensation should be paid to individuals in the impacted communities whose properties were affected directly. Social compensation should be provided to the impacted communities in terms of provision of social amenities,” the communiqué said.

It urged the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project to sustain the removal of contaminants from the surface and ground water within five to 10 years while the restoration of aquatic life should be achieved between 10 to 30 years.

The communiqué, which was issued on Friday, added, “There should be treatment of underground water between the five to 10 years and continuous monitoring of underground water using international best practices should be done between the next 10 to 30 years.

“There should be sediments monitoring between five to 10 years and restoration should take place between the following 10 to 30 years.

“HYPREP should engage experts, train the locals to establish and sustain a technical working group and develop a succession plan for the project for a period of 30 years

“Project management experts should not only include technical experts and regulators and community relations personals but should also be independent of HYPREP

“There should be community involvement in the clean-up project and traditionally recognized groups like the youth, church, traditional rulers should be used to penetrate into the heart of the community.”

Calling for transparency on the part of HYPRP, the communiqué said there should be an immediate inauguration of Central Representative Advisory Committee to serve as a link between the community and HYPREP.

While insisting that every project meant for the community should be disclosed and not hidden, it also called for an urgent establishment of zonal representative council.