Over 5,000 victims displaced by a demolition exercise carried out by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in Kwara State have made a compensation appeal.
The demolition took place in March 2018 along Tanke Pipeline Road, Oke-Oyi, Ilorin.
During a press conference, the victims, led by their representative Pastor Tope Ajetunmobi, expressed their grievances. Ajetunmobi highlighted that despite a resolution by the 8th House of Representatives in May 2019, which called for the NNPCL to assess the value of the affected properties and negotiate compensation, the company has failed to comply.
He revealed that 976 structures, estimated to be worth over N160 billion at the time, were affected by the demolition exercise.
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“NNPCL has only honored three out of the 17 invitations extended to both parties by the 8th, 9th, and 10th House of Representatives over the issue,” Ajetunmobi said. He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene to ensure that the displaced victims receive the compensation they deserve.
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The victims remain hopeful that the government will take necessary actions to address their plight and provide much-needed relief for their losses.