Reps Wants FG To Pay Compensation To Odioma Community

The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to pay N1 billion to Odioma community in Bayelsa, as compensation for attack it suffered from the Joint Task Force (JTF).

The call for payment of compensation was sequel to the report of the House Committee on Public Petitions, which investigated the attack.

The Joint Task Force in February 2005 allegedly attacked the community, as a result of a misunderstanding between it and Obioku village, over a piece of land used by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) for its operations.

The House said the amount recommended as compensation was based on the assessment carried out by the judicial commission of inquiry, set up by the Bayelsa, Government, to assess the level of destruction of property and lives in the community.

It also urged security agencies to investigate the alleged murder of 12 persons, including four councillors of the Nembe legislative council.

The lawmakers urged SPDC to ensure that its operations did not contribute to conflicts in the communities where it operates.

In another development, the House was compelled to stand down seven bills and one report, as a result of the absence of their sponsors.

Rep. Leo Ogor (PDP-Delta) had earlier observed that listing of bills in the order paper without their sponsors being present at plenary, was a dangerous trend that must be checked.

Rep. Igo Aguma (PDP-Rivers) urged the Chairman, Rules and Business Committee, to always ensure that sponsors of bills indicated their presence at plenary, before their bills were listed on the order paper.

A bill for an Act to establish the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria was also rejected, because the lawmakers said it would merely be a duplication of institutions and an avenue to extort money from Nigerians.

Rep. Jayeola Ajata (AC-Lagos) said similar institutions were being set up to make money from the public, and not for professional excellence.

“Institutions such as the one under consideration are merely established to milk the students,’’ he added.