The people of Bayelsa state who were affected as a result of Gas
explosion, oil spill and fire at K.S. Endeavor Rig between 16th
January and March 2, 2012 in some communities have demanded N3 billion
each from Chevron Nigeria Limited.
The Managing Partner of Lex Juris LP Barristers, Solicitors,
Arbitrators and Legal consultants , Jide Okunoye Esq. said in view of
monumental losses Chevron activities have caused his clients demand
for immediate clean up of the entire waterways, creeks and rivers
adjoining his clients’ communities in an environmentally friendly way
to free it of any trace of crude oil.
According to Barrister Jide Okunoye, Chevron Nigeria Limited,
should affect the payment of sum of 2 Billion Naira to each of the effected community for the untold damages – and an additional the sum of 1 Billion naira for inconveniences, injurious affection and loss
of income.
On economic consequences of the spill on the communities, the law firm
averred that since the incidence of 16th January 2012, fish catch has
reduced dramatically leading to unemployment and loss of income,
stressing that nets and fishing gear worth billions of naira were
damaged beyond repairs by the crude oil.
It will be recalled that on Monday 27th February 2012, President
Goodluck Jonathan visited the scene of the explosion and ordered
immediate compensation to affected communities.
Due to negligence, seventeen [17] executives of Chevron in Brazil were
charged to court over the spill in 2011. Prosecutors
accused the executives of environmental crimes, of misleading Brazil’s
oil regulator about safety plans and providing inaccurate
information in the wake of the spill. In addition to the charges, an
addition fine of $32.4 million was slapped on the company.
