‘We Can No Longer Bear Effect Of Bonga Oil Spill’, Impacted Communities Cry Out

Communities impacted by the December 2011 Bonga Crude Oil Spill under the auspices of “Shoreline Communities of Nigeria” have raised the alarm over the effect of the spill on their lives.

The communities said that the harmful chemicals Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), sprayed to dispel the spills had contaminated and disturbing the natural ecological resources and fishing activities in the affected communities.

According to the communities, the effect of the spill and chemicals is currently ravaging 730 communities especially children, women and men numbering 8,000,000 living at the seacoast of 21 Local Government Areas of Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Ondo, Ogun and Lagos States.

They therefore appealed to the federal government, individuals and corporate bodies to assist them with relief materials.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Mr Mathias Palimote representing Lagos state, Mr Austin Ofoeyemo, Delta, Mr Jacob Palimote, Bayelsa, Mr Harry Fombo, Rivers, Mr Godwin Ojajune, Ondo and Papa Bamigboye, Ogun and made available to newsmen on Monday in Warri, Delta state.

According to them the appeal was to cushion the effect of the December 2011 and July 2017 SNEPCo Bonga crude oil spill disaster on the people.

They alleged that the harmful chemicals Shell sprayed to dispel the spills had contaminated and disturbing the natural ecological resources and fishing activities in the affected communities.

“The effects in our fishing grounds which have not been restored since the spills incidences are now the major causes of sicknesses, deaths and hunger.

“The effect is currently ravaging 730 of our communities especially children, women and men numbering 8,000,000 people living at the seacoast of 21 Local Government Areas of Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Ondo, Ogun and Lagos States.

“So we are appealing that the Federal Government, National Assembly, European Union, United Nations and all other international communities.

“Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Ministries of Health, Environment, Transport, Petroleum Resources, Agriculture and Water Resources, Ecological Fund Office, National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant authorities  Politicians, Corporate Organisations.

“They should please kindly and urgently intervene by assisting our communities and people with relief materials, fishing nets, accessories and boats as well as boreholes water and health centres in each of the affected 21 Local Government

“So as to cushion the effects of the pollutants, pending the restoration of the contaminated natural resources, fishing grounds, dead aquatics and when Shell will pay compensation to our communities, they appealed.

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