By Dayo Johnson Akure

Members of the Artisan Fishermen Association of Nigeria in the Niger Delta have again pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the release of compensation reportedly associated with the 2011 Bonga oil spill involving Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo).

According to them” The spill spread across five states of Niger Delta region of Akwa lbom, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, and Ondo state causing devastating effects on the people and the environmental problem resulting to joblessness, poverty, social devices in those areas we all depends on fishing, because fishing is our main source of livelihood .

The 2011 spill , the group lamented,  “caused by an equipment failure at Shell’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility — released an estimated 40,000 barrels of crude oil into the Atlantic Ocean.

According to them “the spill reportedly affected marine ecosystems and fishing activities along the coastlines of several Niger Delta states.

They recalled that “in 2012 National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) imposed a total liability of (3.6 billion dollars) on shell for negligence that lead to the devastation effects.

According to them “till date the money has not been paid to the affected thousands upon thousands of Fisher persons and communities we have written several letters, complaining and demanding for this compensation.

The letter to the President was signed by  Rev. Samuel ayadi, leader and coordinator Akwa lbom state, Comrade Princess Elizabeth Egbe, leader and coordinator Bayelsa state, Comrade Alfred kuroko, leader and coordinator Delta state, Prince Alexander Mesogboriwon,leader and coordinator Ondo state, Jeremiah omogbemi,leader and community Representative, Olamiyeye Jeje ,leader and community representative, Alhaji durojaye Erukubami,leader and community representative and Alabo comrade oris otto, leader and Rivers state coordinator.

They said that “Because we believed in the President Tinubu renew hope agenda and transformative initiative to move the affected Fisher people and communities forward, so that we can enjoy the dividend of democracy in this present Tinubu administration.

” We want Mr President to compel Shell and NOSDRA to release the compensation, EFCC should intervene to find out what really happen concerning the compensation and that the Attorney General of the Federation should intervene for justice, fairness and equity.

The group urged the President to engage relevant authorities to facilitate the disbursement of the $3.6 billion penalty reportedly linked to the spill.

 They equally called for transparency in the management of the funds and support for affected communities.

They reaffirmed their confidence in the President’s commitment to the region’s development and called for a resolution that aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.