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Gas Flaring: Edo Oil Producing Community Demands N500bn Compensation, Threatens Eviction

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Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

Irked by the activities of oil exploration and its consequent effects on their lives, natives of Gelegelegbene in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, Friday, demanded N500billion compensation from oil companies operating in their community.

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They said the compensation became necessary due to the huge impacts of gas flaring on their livelihood, adding that if the companies know they cannot pay the compensation, they should vacate the area.

They said that due to activities of oil companies and the resultant impacts, life has become unbearable for them as fishing and farming, which are their major occupations, have become impossible to engage in.

READ ALSO: FAAC Shares N1.100 Trillion To FG , States, LGs

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Narrating their ordeal and at the same time their displeasure over impacts of oil exploration in their environment in a programme organised by Zero Waste Ambassador in Benin, natives of the community lamented that in spite of being people from oil producing community, they are living in abject poverty.

INFO DAILY reports that the programme held by Zero Waste Ambassador to expose the oil and gas crisis in Gelegelegbene was in collaboration with Environmental Rights Action/Friends if the Earth Nigeria; Africa Climate Justice and African People’s Counter Cop.

President, Host Communities Network of Nigeria, Prince Barbs Preye Pawuru lamented that oil producing communities are at the receiving end of the exploration companies, while government and oil companies are the beneficiaries.

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READ ALSO: Naira Marley Releases Last Conversation With Mohbad

Pawuru stated: “We are from oil producing community yet many of our people iive in abject poverty. Due to oil exploration and gas flaring, our environment has been polluted; our water has been polluted.

“Their is frequent oil spill in the area, and this damages our environment. We depend on the environment for fishing, farming, but due to pollution and other impacts caused by oil exploration, we cannot fish, we cannot farm,” he added.

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Also speaking, Mrs Mary Fedigha, a woman leader in the community said activities of oil companies particularly their heavy-duty equipment and gas fare have caused partial blindness and deafness to the people in the community, adding that drugs promised for treatment were not delivered to them.

READ ALSO: South Africa To Roll Out Vaginal Rings To Fight HIV Scourge HIV

She added: “The company promised to build market in the community but till today we’ve not seen anything like that. The little contracts they ought to give to us are being given to outsiders. Take for instance, supply of fish that suppose to be given to us in the community is being given out, outsider supplies them fish.”

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On her part, Secretary of the community women, Mrs Grace Emakpose said: “Our water is being polluted, we can’t do anything; we are stranded. Due to gas flaring, our women are having miscarriage,

“We want to say that if they cannot convert the gas to usable energy, they should leave our community.”

Also speaking, youth leader of the community, Ebikena Milton said: “Gele is a shadow of itself; we are suffering. Many of us (youths) are graduates who suppose to have jobs, but no job for us even as people from oil producing community. Even the empowerment programmes they brought to us are not working out. I will urge them to leave our community.”

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DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

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The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

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Continuing, DSS said Ezenwa’s arrest underscores the Service’s determination to safeguard Nigerians from the fraudulent schemes of unpatriotic elements. “Citizens are therefore encouraged to remain vigilant, verify information from official sources and report suspicious recruitment adverts or individuals attempting to extort money under false pretense.”

The agency assured that it will continue to protect the integrity of its recruitment process while ensuring that perpetrators of fraud face the full weight of the law.

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‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

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Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

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READ ALSO:Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

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Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

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Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

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Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

READ ALSO:Obi Blames Tinubu For 70% Investment Crash

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The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

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“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

READ ALSO:Tinubu Subsidises Kidney Dialysis Cost By 76% In Federal Hospitals

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

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I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.

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