Government Explores Remedial For Niger Delta Spill

Government Explores Remedial For Niger Delta Spill

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the main objective of the environmental impact assessment of the oil contamination in Ogoniland was to establish the exact level of pollution and determine the best remedial actions.

Speaking after receiving an update on the assessment from the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), which is conducting the exercise at the request of the Nigeria government, President Jonathan advised the people of Ogoniland to support and cooperate with the environment experts.

He said the assessment outcome would help to ameliorate the negative impacts of oil contamination on the Niger Delta environment.

Extensive assessments of contamination

He said the government would work with the Rivers state government and leaders in the area to overcome the security challenges, which were hindering the completion of the extensive environmental and public health impacts assessment of the oil contamination in the area.

President Jonathan also thanked UNEP, the Shell Petroleum Development Company and members of the Ogoni Reconciliation Committee, headed by Reverend Mathew Hassan Kukah, for their roles, saying he looked forward to receiving a final report.

The UNEP Project Manager, Mr. Mike Cowing said a team of over 100 Nigerian and foreign experts were currently engaged in the exercise, which began last year.

He said the scientific assessment of collected samples began in the second quarter of this year and that UNEP's final report to the government would be ready by early next year.

PR/ANEKE/Williams/Yinka