BY FESTUS AHON

UGHELLI – DELTA State chapter of Host Communities of Nigeria Oil and Gas, HOSTCON, has appealed to the Federal Government to release the accumulated N98 billion gas flare compensation to host communities without further delay.

Acting chairman of the group, Mr. Onyemah Ojukwu, in a chat with newsmen, said; “As at 2010, the gas flare compensation was N98 billion but the Federal Government was adamant in paying the money, despite pressure from the leadership of HOSTCON led by Chief A.Bubor.

“We have patiently waited for the fund, yet government has been foot-dragging in releasing the fund that had already been approved by the oil companies. The money we are demanding has already been paid by the oil companies operating in the region  to the  Federal Government for onward remittance to  oil and gas bearing communities.

“We, therefore, wonder why the Federal Government is deliberately withholding this money despite the fact that the oil companies have disbursed same to government.”