YENAGOA - A spill from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) facility has rocked Biseni community in Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa state.
An indigene of the community told newsmen that the spill, which occurred about two
weeks ago between Joinkrama and Biseni, has damaged crops, farmlands, aquatic lives and their only source of drinking water.
The state commissioner from Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Mr. John Iyekorogha, on Saturday inspected the oil spill site at Biseni.
Iyekorogha urged multinational oil companies to protect the environment and live up to their corporate responsibility to foster peace among host communities in their areas of operation.
He called on the management of SPDC to clean up the oil spill to prevent further spread to other parts of the area.
The commissioner urged the people of Biseni to avoid a breakdown of law and order and assured them of government’s determination to partner with SPDC to alleviate the damage caused by the oil spill.
Responding, the Ibedaowei of Biseni clan, Chief Lawson Obiriki, said the oil spill caused extensive damage to farmlands and aquatic lives and urged government to ensure that Shell clean up the spill and compensate victims.
Efforts to get the reaction of Shell to the spill failed as officials at it’s Yenagoa office directed NAN to either Port Harcourt or Warri office for comment.
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