By Emem Idio

YENAGOA—TWELVE Bayelsa State communities in Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas of the state under the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC EA host communities, have berated the multinational over the non-payment of compensation for the “Bonga mystery spills” that occurred in the area in 2011.

File photo: Damaged ecosystem from oil spill

The communities are Amatu I, Amatu II, Bilabiri I, Bilabiri II, Letugbene, Ogbeintu, Orobiri, Ajamabiri, Agge, Bisangbene, Ezetu and Ekeni.

In a statement in Yenagoa, yesterday, chairman of the EA Communities Development Committee, CDC, Chairmen Forum, Mr Ebimobowei Deboh, expressed displeasure that Shell was yet to pay compensation as agreed last year between the communities’ leaders and representatives of the multinational.

Deboh said: “The EA Host Communities are not happy over the silent of SPDC towards the payment of the Bonga mystery spills. The communities are strongly requesting for the immediate implementation of the palliative agreement and payment of the Bonga mystery spills without delay.

“As host communities, we are known for our law abiding and peaceful disposition to multinationals operating within our domain which explains the harmonious relationship between multinationals and our communities, therefore,  we are using this opportunity to call on SPDC to fulfil their part of obligation to our communities in other to severe the current cordial relationship in the area.”