WORRIED by the plights of riverine communities impacted by the January 16 gas explosion from Chevron Oil Company’s gas well head, Bayelsa State House of Assembly on Friday ordered the multinational oil concern to commence immediate payment of compensation to about 40 communities in the state.

The lawmakers also ordered Chevron to put out the raging gas fire on its platform and ensure the blockade of all leakages arising from the gas explosion.

In a unanimous decision, the legislators decried what they termed the indifference posture of the oil multi-nationals operating in the state, stressing that the oil firms had always been elusive in carrying out their corporate social responsibilities to their host communities.

Moving the motion under matters of urgent public importance, the lawmaker, representing Southern Ijaw Constituency I, Hon. Kuroakegha Dourgu, regretted that after a month since the gas explosion occurred, nothing substantial had been done by the company to put out the fire, which had resulted in pollution and environmental problems for the people of Koluama clan and other coastal communities.

According to him, out of over 40 communities affected by the gas explosion, Chevron had only sent relief materials to selected 8 communities of its choice, adding that the victims of the gas fire, had no option than resorting to eating the dead and contaminated fishes.

The House, in a bid to address the health problems confronting the people also implored the federal government and Chevron Nigeria Limited to immediately send relief materials and a medical team to the affected communities without further delay.

While expressing regret over the extant laws of the nation, which imposed serious limitations on State Assemblies from legislating on such matters which fall under the exclusive legislative list, the legislature called on the national assembly to review such laws to give the states, which bear the brunt of the oil and gas exploration activities, the right to curtail the excesses of the oil company activities.

The lawmakers charged the federal government to borrow a leaf from the American government during the Shell Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico, emphasising the need to be more proactive in responding to the plight of the affected communities.