AllAfrica.com: Commissioner Bemoans Shell, Chevron Activities: "the degree and extent of pollution occasioned by exploration and exploitation of oil and gas on our environment is quite enormous". (ShellNews.net)

Jaiyeola Andrews

Posted 5 August 04

Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Mr George Ugbomah, has bemoaned the activities of Shell Petroleum Development Company and Chevron, saying their exploration has left places like Odidi, Egwa, Oghara, Sapele, Jones, Creeks, Otumara, Escravos, Chanomi, Forcados, Opuama and Saghara completely devastated and degraded.

He equally condemned the multinationals for their penchant to cover up anytime there was a spill, adding that his ministry always detect such spill, anytime it occurred.

Briefing newsmen yesterday in Asaba on the activities of his ministry, Ugbomah said "the degree and extent of pollution occasioned by exploration and exploitation of oil and gas on our environment is quite enormous".

According to him, virtually all the oil producing areas in the state suffer oil and gas pollution, adding that the degree of the devastating effects on the host communities appear irredeemable.

Ugboma said available records in his ministry shows that Chevron Nigeria Limited alone reported spillage of 218,204.16, gallons of oil in the creeks, rivers, streams, all within six months.

"We commend Chevron for reporting oil spills to the ministry. It is rather disheartening that other companies more often than not, attempt to cover up such spills in their areas of operations", Ugbomah averred.

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