Posted by From Chido Okafor, Warri on
THREE years after Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) was accused of burying substances suspected to be toxic wastes in a virgin land in a community in Delta State, a controversy over the matter has flared up.
THREE years after Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) was accused of burying substances suspected to be toxic wastes in a virgin land in a community in Delta State, a controversy over the matter has flared up.
Shell yesterday broke its three-year silence when it denied burying toxic wastes in the community, Igbeku Village in Amukpe, Sapele Local Government Area.
But an investigation into the matter recently uncovered pits where wastes were buried in the community.
The Amukpe community claimed in 2002 that the firm buried toxic wastes in eight pits in the community. Three of the pits were said to be in a Shell-acquired land in the community.
Shell's Manager, Government and Public Relations, Western Division, Chief Charles Akeni, told journalists in Warri yesterday that SPDC had "at no time buried any spill material" at Amukpe.
But, a community source told The Guardian that a spillage occurred in a Shell pipeline in Igbeku-Amukpe community in 2002. The spillage was said to have occurred on "Shell's right of way". The contract to clean up the spill was allegedly awarded to a Shell contractor who instead of evacuating the wastes to an SPDC-approved site, buried them in the area.
Three pits were allegedly dug in Shell's right of way, while five of others were dug in the community's "virgin land".
The community, it was learnt, discovered last year when their economic crops were withering. They invited environmentalists who carried out soil test and discovered that the area had been polluted.
The Amukpe community reportedly wrote to Shell which failed to respond. They later reported to the Federal Ministry of Environment and their Delta State counterpart.
Shell, allegedly later visited the area alongside a private environmental consultant, Phosa International Venture, and took samples. The private consultant came out with its report within few months while Shell's report had not been forthcoming.
But three weeks ago, The Guardian learnt that a joint investigation (JIV) comprising Shell, federal and state environmental ministry officials, community representatives and other concerned bodies, was conducted. The Shell community liaison officer (CLO) in the area led the investigation.
During the joint investigation, eight pits where uncovered and it was agreed that the wastes should be evacuated from the pits.
The Amukpe community, it was learnt, then demanded N100 billion from Shell for the damage caused to the land as a result of the wastes. The community demanded another N2 billion to be paid yearly for 20 years, because according to them it would take a long time before the pollution of their land would clear off. END