ThisDayOnline:Toxic Waste: Group Demands N200m Compensation from Shell: “The once beautiful land is no longer a source of fresh air and green vegetation. All one sees and feels now is death." (ShellNews.net)

From Onwuka Nzeshi in Warri

3 August 2004

A non-governmental organisation, Niger Delta Oil Communities Development Front yesterday demanded a compensation package of N200 million from the Shell Petroleum Development Company for allegedly dumping drilling chemicals and toxic wastes at Egbemo-Angalabiri, Bayelsa State.

The alleged waste dump, THISDAY learnt was sequel to activities of Parker Drilling, a contractor firm to Shell three years ago but only became manifest when the community gradually began to metamorphose into a wasteland.

President of the Niger Delta Oil Communities Development Front, Mr Donyefa Ogoye said that the whole land of the community have been devastated by industrial pollution.

"Once a placid rural community of prosperous fishermen and farmers but now an ecological waste land reeking of sulphuric acid. Its creeks and waters poisoned by indiscriminate dumping of chemical wastes.

"The only means of having drinkable water is thwarted and people of the oil bearing community do not have access to portable water. The chemical waste has turned the community land, streams and creeks into waste, leading to loss of lives of several people in the area. The once beautiful land is no longer a source of fresh air and green vegetation. All one sees and feels now is death."

The group also suggested that environmental degradation such as the case of Egbemo-Angalabiri has been largely responsible for the incessant Youth restiveness across the Niger Delta.

It urged Shell and her allies in the exploration and production of hydrocarbons to exercise due caution as posterity will judge them by the impacts of their activities long after the crude oil and gas resources may have been depleted.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/news/20040803sta06.html