Stakeholders from the Niger Delta region have urged the Federal Government to pay the sum of N80 billion as compensation to Agge Community located in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, noting that failure to pay may lead to further conflicts in the oil-rich community.
The compensation is connected with the court ruling by Federal High Court concerning military activities which were conducted in the community from 2008 to 2009. They stated that the payment of such compensation would contribute to the creation of a peaceful atmosphere between the government and the people of the community.
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Community representatives who addressed the issue have appealed to the Federal Government to fulfill the agreement reached after prolonged negotiations between the Federal Government and representatives of Agge Community.
It was observed that the leaders continued managing the increasing frustration among citizens and youths, with the understanding that releasing of funds will assist in resolving grievances and preventing any further unrest.
This request came after the disclosure of official documents indicating that the Ministry of Defence wrote to the Ministry of Finance asking for the release of the ₦80 billion judgment debt.
However, in the letter endorsed by the Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd), the ministry said the compensation was omitted from a previous list of pending presidential approval payments.
The ministry thereafter asked that the money should be included in the list and released in order to pay off the judgment debt owed in Suit No. FHC/YNG/CS/187/2022 by Fred Bebese Imiekumor and others versus the Federal Government.
The stakeholders urged the government to do the needful in other to prove its readiness for peace and development in the Niger Delta region.
