Bonga oil spill: Nigeria seeks compensation from Shell

Bonga oil spill: Nigeria seeks compensation from Shell

The Nigerian Senate has directed Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) to pay undisclosed amount of compensation to Nigerians affected by oil spill from its facilities.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Sen. Bukola Saraki (PDP-Kwara), issued the directive on Thursday at a news conference in Abuja while reacting to the 30,000 barrels oil spill which occurred on Tuesday at Shell’s Bonga Field near Rivers.

Saraki said that Shell must immediately embark on strategies to stop further spills from extending beyond its oil field.

“Shell must be prepared to pay for any damages the spill might have or will cause Nigerians living within the area.

“Shell must immediately take necessary steps to halt this oil spill,” Saraki said.

Need for appropriate equipment

He said it was imperative for government to provide essential equipment and logistics to all agencies responsible for protection of the environment.

Saraki identified the lack of appropriate equipment as major impediment to executing independent assessment and quick response during emergencies.

He decried the situation where relevant agencies had to rely almost on the oil companies for equipment, logistics and information control.

He gave the assurance that the committee would ensure that the right steps were taken by Shell in line with international best practices.

The spill

Satellite pictures obtained by independent monitors, Skyetruth, suggested that the spill was 70 kilometres long and was over 923 square kilometres.

Shell had earlier said up to 40,000 barrels of crude oil was spilled while it was transferred from a floating oil platform to a tanker 75 miles off the coast of the Niger delta.

A Shell spokesman, Tony Okonedo, said all production from the Bonga field, which produces around 200,000 barrels a day, was suspended on Wednesday.

"Early indications show that less than 40,000 barrels of oil have leaked in total. Spill response procedures have been initiated and emergency control and spill risk procedures are up and running," Okonedo said.

Nigeria’s Niger Delta region has witnessed several oil spill, without adequate compensation made to the citizens affected in the past.

NAN/Williams