Goodluck visits rig fire villages

The Chevron gas rig fire off Nigeria's Atlantic coast is still burning more than a month after it erupted and anger is growing.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan's calling for immediate action to put out the flames which villagers in the area say are damaging their health and livelihoods.

Jonathan, who visited the affected area on Monday, is urging villagers to be patient.

SOUNDBITE: Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan saying (English with translation because of poor sound quality)

"Finally and eventually the communities affected will have some relief, some compensation, and that is obvious."

People who live in villages like Koluama 2 are now complaining of rashes and breathing problems.

They also say the sea has been polluted and fish are dying as a result.

Chevron has so far refused to say how it plans to tackle the inferno.

Local officials are threatening action against some of the firm's installations in the area.

SOUNDBITE: Ebi Robbertson, Ijaw Youth Council, saying (English):

"We have given Chevron one week to comply with the president's directive. If not Chevron should close down from (in) our areas. They should leave our areas."

Two workers were killed when the first explosions were heard from the KS Endeavor rig on January 16th.

The fires have been raging since then.

Paul Chapman, Reuters