Uduaghan condemns Bonga oil spill, seeks remedial measures

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA
ASABA—DELTA State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday, called on the Federal Government through its agencies, Nigerian Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, to ensure that full remedial measures were taken to restore the environment and mitigate further damage resulting from the Bonga oil spill.

Lamenting the impact of the recent Bonga oil spill on some communities in Delta State and across the Niger Delta region, Uduaghan charged Shell Petroleum Development Corporation, to stop passing buck but give full disclosure of the impact and extent of damage of the spill.

Said he, “shortly before Christmas, it was reported that a blow out occurred leading to spill in the Bonga oil field. Recent events confirmed my fears that the spill had spread to the shores. Although Shell claims that its containment of the spill was successful, reports before me from communities indicate otherwise.

“My position is that this is not the time to avoid responsibility on this issue. Shell should step forward and follow the examples of BP, which had similar experience and acted responsibly. Delta State will follow closely what happens in those communities and demand that necessary action be taken to restore the environment back to the people.”

Adding that this was not the time for buck passing, as  was gradually happening over the washing up of the spilled oil on the shores of the coastal communities, whose marine life and economic wellbeing are deeply threatened. Uduaghan said, he expected Shell to take steps to ensure adequate clean-up and compensation for the communities affected.

He dismissed claims by Shell that the spill was contained before spreading as not being supported by hard evidence of what was happening in Ogulaha, Beniboye and Okuntu in Delta State and Orobiri, Odiama and Aggeh communities in Bayelsa State, which had experienced the impact of the spilled oil.

He reminded Shell that BP took steps to act in cleaning up and compensated those affected by its large scale spill in the Gulf of Mexico two years ago and does not think the Niger Delta environment should be different.