The Artisan Fishermen of Nigeria (ARFAN), Niger Delta Region, has demanded N4.32 billion compensation from Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Co. (SNEPCo) for five states impacted by oil spill in the Region.
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The Association's Secretary and Niger Delta Coordinator, Elder Inyang Ekong, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Eket, Akwa Ibom..
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He said that the claims and compensation were necessary due to the extent and impact of the spill on the people of the region.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that SNEPCo on the Bonga oil spill located offshore Nigeria, estimates that about 40,000 barrels of crude oil escaped into the Atlantic Ocean on Dec 20, 2011.
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Ekong said that the oil spill had caused untold hardship to the fishing communities and to the association members in the region.
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"We have written and nothing has been done for us, we are still waiting and we went on consultation and still nothing is happening.
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"Up till today, we have not received any positive response from the regulators nor from the Federal Government.
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"We have been so weak and sorrowful because our members are frustrated by the oil spill that cut across the whole Niger Delta Region," Ekong said.
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According to him, the effect of the oil spill has thrown the fishermen in all the states of the Region into "a very big confusion''.
I honestly do think they should be attented to before an argument heats up. That will save them a lot of stress