allAfrica.com: Community Demands $750m Compensation From Shell

June 18, 2004

Posted 19 June 2004

Christopher Isiguzo

Owerri

As a result of a recent oil spill which destroyed over 20 kilometres farm land, the Umuogwa-Awarra community in Ohaji Egbema council of Imo State has made a demand of $750 million as compensation from Shell Petroleum Development-Company (SPDC).

Spokesman for the community, Mr Ogbonnaya Festus, told newsmen in Owerri, yesterday that the Egbema Production Centre of Shell has not shown any sign of seriousness since the spillage on June 1.

According to him, had it not been the intervention of the State Environmental Sanitation Agency (ISESA), following a protest letter from the community, the situation would have been worse.

"When ISESA went to the site, they really expressed shock and as a result moved to Shell office, on June 15.

Following the development, the community through its spokesman advised SPDC to "In its best interest", pay the compensation to avoid a possible break down of law and order".

It also urged the company to change its burst pipes which they claimed has out lived it's usefulness, having been there since 1966.

The community demanded immediate cleaning of the affected area and the remediation of the soil.