From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
Fishermen in the Niger Delta region under the aegis of Artisanal Fishermen Association of Nigeria (ARFAN), have lamented that they lost N432 million worth of business as a result of incessant oil spill which polluted much of the rivers in the area.
The group, speaking with The AUTHORITY in Port Harcourt, lamented that after several years of spill, they are yet to recover from the loss of their sources of livelihood.
The fishermen lamenting that since the Bonga oil spill, over 15 of its members have died from hardship, alleging that the chemical used by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to cushion the effect, destroyed the water body.
Chairman of the group, Rev. Samuel Ayade, who spoke with The AUTHORITY, expressed concerns over the delay in obtaining justice on the matter, noting that the fishermen have lost everything they had to the devastation.
Ayade explained that the spill which occurred on December 20, last year was the reason there are no more Bonga fish in the market, adding that many species of the fish have migrated out of the Niger Delta region or had died.
He said: “After the spill they asked us to steer clear of the river so that we don’t bring contaminated fish to the public. Even as we are talking, the spill has destroyed and chased Bonga fish from the Niger Delta area. We can no more catch Bonga fish again.
“The effect of that spill is that our members have lost over N432million and about 15 persons who were in the struggle have dieda�?.
Oil Spill: Fishermen lament loss of N432million
