By GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

BENIN-THE people of Gelegele, an oil-producing community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State have given a 14-day ultimatum  to the management of Dubril Oil
Company Limited to pay them N500 billion as compensation for environmental degradation of their community or face the consequences that may follow at the expiration of the notice.

Dubril Oil Company Ltd, an indigenous oil prospecting company, which  has engaged in oil exploration and exploitation activities in the community since 1987, has its gas flare point at the centre of the community.

The community also called on the Federal Government to immediately pass the Petroleum industry Bill, PIB, into law without delay and disallow transnational corporations and the indigenous oil companies from manipulating and tampering with the bill to their advantage.

The community, in an address by the traditional ruler, the Amaokusuwei of Gelegele, Chief S.P. Apoi, at a day training for Host Oil Producing Communities of Nigeria organized by the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth (ERA/FoN), yesterday, also demanded that Dubril Oil Company Ltd should provide a gas turbine-driven electricity, potable water and stop the gas flare in the community within 14 days.