The Mayo News Online (Ireland): Shell to Sea re-affirms absolute commitment to protecting environment: “The breakdown in communication and confidence which has resulted has added to local anxieties regarding Shell’s activities,” the statement read.”: Tuesday 6 December 2005
Shell to Sea has stated that ‘it wishes to affirm again its absolute commitment to environmental protection’. In a statement issued last week, the group said that pickets maintained by local concerned citizens at Shell’s Bellanaboy site have been directed to ensuring that Shell did not engage in any construction work which would facilitate the imposing of the highly dangerous production pipeline through Rossport.
“Shell to Sea has at all times made clear its determination to ensure that Shell maintain full environmental monitoring and maintenance of its site. Recent difficulties regarding site access have arisen because of Shell’s unilateral decision to change the procedures by which local observers can enter the site. The breakdown in communication and confidence which has resulted has added to local anxieties regarding Shell’s activities,” the statement read.
“Following repeated requests by the Shell to Sea campaign for Mayo County Council and the North Western Regional Fisheries Board to take charge of any environmental matters on site, all concerned parties (except local residents) had complete unrestricted access to Shell sites from October 11 to November 16, a total of 37 days. It was understood by Shell to Sea that all necessary work had been completed.
“Following the breakdown in the working agreement allowing on-site observers, SEPIL’s MD publicly stated on November 25 that three more days were needed to complete installation work for the treatment system. Shell to Sea called for written clarification of the proposed works, as a matter of urgency, to help solve this protracted problem.
“However, by contrast on November 29 a letter by Shell’s Project Manager outlined the need for up to 25 staff on site including administration and caterers, and that a further two to four weeks at least would be required.”
Shell to Sea has indicated that it will ‘once again facilitate this arrangement on the basis that all work relates to environmental management and not construction activity’.
“We hold Shell directly to account for the continuing and deteriorating environmental conditions on the Bellanaboy site. We yet again call on all relevant authorities to rigorously monitor this site,” the statement continued.
Click here for ShellNews.net HOME PAGE