Gas flare: Delta Community Leader, Gbemre Lament Lost of Sister to Inhale Poison From Environmental Pollution
By Ovedhe Hezekiah.
Mr Jonah Gbemre, a leader of Iwhrekan Community,Ughievwen Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, has lamented the lost of her sister to cancer which according his to him was caused by the poison inhale on a daily basis by the people of the Community as a result of gas flaring allegedly by the exploration activities of Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC.
Gbemre stated this at the one day “Community-CSOs Engagement” organized by the Environmental Rights Action, ERA/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria.
He noted that, the life span of majority of the people who are suffering have been drastically reduced by gas flare, courtesy of the activities of SPDC.
In his words; “Our lands have been acquired by the oil company who build their facilities to destroy same.
“Our farmlands have been totally destroyed by the activities of exploitation and exploration of the companies.
“There is serious hunger and poverty in the midst of plenty amongst the people in Iwhrekan Community due to gas flaring by SPDC.
“Prostitution are on the increased as a result of oil exploitation and exploration by the IOC’s. My eyes are red because of the impact of gas flare. I no longer read without using eye-glasses. I have undergone medical operation twice for the past ten(10) years. It’s very bad.”
Gbemre who is the Coordinator of Kristal Care Foundation, disclosed how Environmental Rights Action, ERA/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria dragged Shell Petroleum Development Company,SPDC over the gas flare in the Community and secured a judgment against her at the Federal High Court.
Gbemre who was elated by Court Judgement said the case against Shell scaled through within six months in Court.
According to Gbemre; “SPDC’s activities in our Community is illegal and against our fundamental rights as well as the African Charter. The judge who delivered the judgement was transferred and later retired out of service.
“He was under pressure by some indigenes of his community to collect money from the company and settle the matter out of Court but I insisted.”
Earlier on, the Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Barr. Chima Williams in a remark noted that the matter is before the Court of Appeal just as he assured that,”We are going to get judgement.”
He disclosed how himself and members of his organisation with members of Iwhrekan Community sworn to an oath never to betray the confidence reposed in them at Iwhrekan Community just to display their sincerity and truthfulness on the matter
