The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) may face international court soon if it fails to pay compensation to the Umuechem community in the Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Head of Community Action and Paralegal Centres Social Action, Comrade Celestine Akpobari revealed this in an interview with journalists shortly after 24th anniversary of Umuechem day on 31st Ocotber, 2014 at the Umueche town hall.
Social Action spokesman said the only reason why Shell will escape the international court of justice for its action against Umueche 24 years ago is if the company repents and listens to the complaints of the people where they demanded justice for the massacre at the community in 1990.
Comrade Akpobari revealed that Justice Inko-Tariah’s panel was set up by then government of Rivers State but uptil now nobody is compensated.
The Head of Community Action and Paralegal said, the celebration of 24 year agony of Umuechem people is the beginning of the series of activities that will take place.
He told journalists that Umuechem was massacred by the grand plan of Shell and the Rivers State government because of a peaceful protest by the people demanding social amenities in return the paramount Ruler, Chief Ordu was murdered with those taking refuge at the palace as the community was subsequently raise down by Mobile police.
The activist said one of the way out by Shell is to salvage the situation especially on the issues bordering development and adequate compensation as there is nothing too late in this matter noting that no amount of money can replace the Head of a traditional ruler and the over 90 people killed, while requesting that the people should unite.
In his speech, the Special Guest of Honour and a former Minister of State for Education and a Governorship Aspirant, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, represented by Chief Hon. Ephraim Nwuzi, a former chairman of Etche LGA stated that the former Minister wishes Umuechem community well in their celebration while urging them to be united.
Chief Barr. Wike tasked Umuechem people to come out and register for their voters’ card because it is political power that control economic power.
Also speaking, Mr. Owuka Reginald Chidi the CDC chairman and the Community Trust maintained that the crisis that engulfed Umuechem community 24 years ago was deadly. He said he was shot by the mobile police but uptil now nobody is being compensated by either Shell or the government.
Mr. Chidi stated that Umuechem has 57 oil wells but nothing to show for it in the community.
In their separate reactions, the chairman Etche solidarity Forum (ESF) Comrade Chima Choko and Chief Silvanus Nwala condemned the situation where Shell is still in Umuechem but no visible project.
Earlier, the Director Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) Rev. Nnimmo Bassey in his solidarity message entitled “Our land must bleed no more” said the Umuechem massacre was the major reason forced him to the struggle for environmental and human rights and secondly, the Ogoni Martyr, Ken Saro-Wiwa fought for social and economic justice inspired him greatly. “Today we stand with you to insist that the environment is our life and must be defended” he said. ###
Pius Dukor
