Posted by By Emma Amaize on
A YOUNG man, Orlando Al-Omieh who claimed to be a victim of an alleged chemical pollution by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) climbed the company's mast at the Forcados Terminal in Ogulagha, Delta State, Monday in an attempt to commit suicide.
WARRI - A YOUNG man, Orlando Al-Omieh who claimed to be a victim of an alleged chemical pollution by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) climbed the company's mast at the Forcados Terminal in Ogulagha, Delta State, Monday in an attempt to commit suicide.
He was, however, begged by the company's officials not to take his life and after much plea, he was reportedly flown to the Osubi airstrip in Warri and taken to the SPDC's office in the oil city.
But SPDC's External Affairs Manager (Western Division), Mr. Harriman Oyofo who spoke to Vanguard on the matter, yesterday, said the man infiltrated the company's premises at the Forcados Terminal and climbed the communication's mast.
He said Shell officials tactictically persuaded him to come down and he insisted on seeing the General Manager of the company in Warri, a request he was granted and he came with his lawyer, one Mr. Mariere to our office.
Al-Omieh in a statement made available to Vanguard stated that he and other victims of Shell's "Eposand chemicals" felt dejected after being used by the company and Mayvica Enterprises in the disposal of toxic materials at the Forcados Terminal from 1996-2000.
"We have been abused and dumped even in a democracy. Shell has denied us our right to healthy living, as displayed in their attitude of trying to frustrate their victims. For close to five years, year 2000 till date, we have lived with Shell's Eposand chemicals effects and all efforts to dialogue on this issue has proved abortive as Shell has used their mighty financial strength to oppress us not to get justice, rather, Shell in their own word advised us to take them to the law court" he said.
Al-Omieh complained that Shell and Mayvica did not respond to the petition of the victims from their lawyer, A. Brisibe and shunned the Committee of the Delta State House of Assembly that was set up to look into the matter in 2002 as well as rebuffed the Federal Ministry of Environment and security agents who waded into the matter in 2003.
He said that the victims who could no longer bear the internal injuries and ailments caused them by the chemicals decided to take their lives.