Agip explosion: Environmental Right Action demands $28m for bereaved families

Environmental Right Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria has demanded $28m from Nigerian Agip Oil Company for the families of victims of fire explosion in Azuzuama, Bayelsa State, which claimed the lives of 14 persons.

In July 2015, fire exploded in the oil facility operated by a multinational oil company, Agip, in Azuzuama in which 14 persons died and scores injured.

Executive Director, ERA/FoEN, Dr. Godwin Ojo, at a news conference tagged, ‘Environment Parliament’, demanded $28 each for the families of 14 victims that died in the explosion.

He said beyond the need for investigation, Agip must provide public response to the frequent fire explosion incidents as well as conduct immediate clean up and environmental remediation.

Ojo stated, “While a price cannot be placed on the loss of human lives, we urge the payment of the sum of $28m each to the families of the bereaved since their breadwinners have been taken away from them abruptly.

“This will serve as a deterrent to Agip and other oil companies on the need to put lives first before profit.”

The ERA boss also alleged that the impunity and fragrant disregard for environmental regulations by Agip had resulted in massive environmental degradation and destruction of rural livelihoods over several decades of its operation in the Niger Delta.

Ojo, therefore, demanded the revocation of operational licence of Agip for their persistent and criminal liability in the frequent fire explosions and deaths recorded.

He said the laws governing oil spills and prevention of environmental degradation and security of lives and property had been severely compromised.

PUNCH