The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the owner of a crude oil vessel and two tugboats belonging to the Ibeto Group over a boat mishap in Kula Kingdom, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, which claimed seven lives.
The council also demanded a speedy investigation into the incident, warning that it could take action to apprehend the vessel owner if security agencies fail to arrest him.
The IYC made the demands during a joint solidarity visit by its Eastern and Western Zones to the scene of the incident and affected satellite communities in Kula Kingdom.
The Chairman of the IYC Eastern Zone, Prince Datolu Sukubo, urged security agencies and the Rivers State Government to expedite action on the investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Sukubo, who also lost his younger brother in the incident, called on the Chief of Army Staff and the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, to order an immediate investigation into the conduct of personnel of Sector 3 Command, Okrika, in connection with the incident.
He also urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) and relevant regulatory agencies in the oil and gas industry to address what he described as unfair practices by contracting firms against host communities and the Niger Delta environment.
According to him, the tragedy could have been prevented if NNPC Limited and regulatory agencies had closely monitored the activities of the Ibeto Group in relation to the host communities.
The IYC Eastern Zone chairman expressed support for the seizure of the crude oil vessel and the two tugboats involved in the incident.
He further advised the leadership of Kula Kingdom to immortalise the victims by renaming the seized vessel and tugboats after them.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the IYC Western Zone, Nicholas Igarama, accused the Ibeto Group of showing disregard for the rights of host communities and the sanctity of human life.
Igarama commiserated with the bereaved families and Sukubo over the loss of his younger brother, warning that the council would no longer tolerate oil and gas service companies trampling on the rights of host communities in the Niger Delta.
He assured the victims’ families and affected communities that the IYC would remain at the forefront of efforts to ensure justice.
Also speaking, an elder of the IYC and former Chairman of the IYC Elders Council, Kalabari Clan, Chief Lolo Braide, described the deaths of the young people as devastating.
Braide called for adequate compensation for the bereaved families and urged the Rivers State Government, NNPC Limited and relevant regulatory agencies to establish measures to resolve disputes between host communities and oil industry operators peacefully.
He said such measures were necessary to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.
Another IYC elder from the Eastern Zone and Kalabari Clan, Anaye Kio, warned that the council might embark on further actions without notice if its demands for a speedy investigation and the arrest and prosecution of those found culpable were not met.
The IYC reiterated its call for justice for the victims, their families and the affected communities.
