UN orders compensation on oil spillage in N’Delta

UN orders compensation on oil spillage in Niger Delta
Ehimen Oghuman, Lagos

More reactions have continued to trail the United Nations verdict instructing Shell Petroleum to pay compensation to areas affected by oil spillage in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria, particularly Ogoni land.

The media consultant to the Delta State government, Helen Emore, commended the verdict saying that the compensation would be a good start in reversing the damage the oil spill has caused to the environment.

The extent of the damage

Mrs Emore, who is an indigene of the area, reflected on growing up in the Niger Delta when the area was a safe haven for aquatic life. This, according to her, is in complete contrast to what exists currently, where the creeks are heavily polluted and filled with thick layers of crude.

Consequently, she said, indigenes of the region do not have access to clean water, also making farming impracticable in the area.

Justification for the compensation

In her words, “If the BP oil spillage in America caused so much global focus, it should be normal that the Shell oil spillage would also evoke the same sentiments, and even more, due to the direct effect the degradation has caused on the lives of the people of the Niger Delta, particularly indigenes of Ogoni land.”

She opined that any claim by Shell that it cannot pay compensation to the affected areas should be rendered untenable, citing that if British Petroleum can pay compensation, Shell can also follow suit.

Caution on oil spillage

Furthermore, she urged regulatory bodies to continually check the excesses of oil companies as regards oil spillage.

“These regulatory bodies should ensure that these oil companies operate systems that will enable a sustainable environment for indigenes of the region bearing in mind that the earth is not a renewable item,” she said.

She pointed out that the environment should be preserved and used in such a way that the emerging generation could have access to the resources of these areas.

Development programmes of the Delta State government

In the area of development, Mrs Emore stated that the Delta State government has faced basically series of economic challenges, due to the unrests and disturbances by militants triggered by youth unemployment.

She reiterated that if people had jobs, they would not be restive. In this light, she stressed that the government had designed several programmes and initiatives aimed at ensuring that businesses had adequate infrastructure that would enable them work efficiently in the area.

 According to her, the government of Delta State should partake in infrastructural development, particularly in the revitalization of the agricultural sector in order to create jobs as well as generate revenue for the areas involved and the Delta region as a whole.

Ex-militants’ reformation efforts

The Media Consultant also frowned at Ex-militants who still engage in criminal activities.

She however noted that though the process of reforming these individuals is yielding results, both the Federal and State governments should step up their activities to ensure that these individuals had a change of orientation to enable them apply themselves better in the society.

Emma/Williams/Ekata