By Elizabeth ADENUGA
After seven years of a gas explosion at Chevron’s oilfield off Bayelsa coastline, youths from Koluama have proposed an out of court settlement of conflicts caused by the incident of Jan 2012.
TBI Africa said the position of the youths is contained in a letter to the Commanding Officer of the Front Operations Naval Base Koluama 2, made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa.
Hundreds of Koluama youths had on Sept. 15, 2014 boarded the North Apoi oil platform operated by Chevron over nonpayment of compensation for the rig blowout and vacated the facility after officials of the oil firm opted for dialogue.
The January 2012 explosion sparked off a fire incident which burnt at the oil rig for over 50 days before it was put out.
Also, victims of the Chevron’s KS Endeavour Rig Explosion in Funiwa oil field dragged the firm to a San Francisco court in the U.S. where the hearing has been ongoing.
The youths under the auspices of Koluama Clan Youth Presidents Forum (KCYPF) said that they planned to table the peace deal before officials of Chevron Nigeria Limited at the Funiwa 5 well operated by Chevron in the area.
The letter was signed by Mr Digba Ikiotimi, Koluama 2, President, Mr Omietimi Henry and Mrs Perewari Boghomem, Koluama 2, Women Leader.
According to the letter, the community wishes to resolve the lingering litigation through meaningful dialogue and move on.
“The disaster destroyed our environment and the entire ecosystem which is our means of survival.
“It is sad to note that after seven years of patience, the CHEVRON/NNPC Joint Venture has not taken reasonable steps to resolve a salient issue affecting the lives and survival of her host communities.
“In view of the above, based on the over whelming need to act now that we are still alive, the youth of Koluama have resolved that a multi- stakeholders committee is set up to resolve the issue without any further delay.
“The anticipated multi stakeholder committee ought to include representatives from Lead plaintiffs/counsel (legal) from every legal action against CHEVRON/NNPC home and abroad, Chevron representatives, government representatives,” the letter read in part.
According to them, membership of the proposed committee should include representatives of individual claimants as well as community representatives.
