Victims demand ₦160bn compensation from NNPCL over demolition

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Individuals whose properties were affected by the demolition carried out by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) are demanding compensation exceeding ₦160 billion.

In 2018, several structures along the pipeline and Tanke Road in Ilorin were demolished by NNPCL for the right of way.

They claimed that 976 structures were demolished by Nigerian Army engineers on the orders of the national oil company.

Tope Ajetumobi, speaking on behalf of the victims, revealed that the House of Representatives Public Petitions Committee passed a resolution in 2019 for NNPCL to assess the value of the damaged properties and negotiate with the victims.

They alleged that the NNPCL had declined.

Tope Ajetumobi, speaking on behalf of the victims, revealed that in 2019, the House of Representatives Public Petitions Committee had passed a resolution requiring the NNPCL to assess the value of the damaged properties and negotiate with the victims.

They alleged, however, that the NNPCL had declined.

Ajetunmobi said, “The House of Representatives passed a resolution on the 30th of May, 2019, that NNPC should assess the value of the properties so damaged and negotiate with the victims. But NNPC both declined and ignored this.

“The matter was brought again to the right honourable Femi Gbajabiamila the speaker of the 9th assembly, and every effort put in place by the house committee on legislative compliance was thwarted by the NNPCL.

“Out of 17 invitations given to the NNPCL, only three were honoured including the forceful inspection that took place on January 24, 2023.

“The matter was brought up again in the 10th assembly with the speaker Honourable Tajudeen Abass. He summoned them to the public petition committee. As usual, the NNPCL refused to show up.”

They urged President Bola Tinubu, to urgently intervene for them to get the compensation sum of ₦160,750bn.