Forum Criticises Shell Over UNEP Report

The Coordinator
of Ogoni Unity Forum, Mr Banduka Gbonen, has accused the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) of diverting attention from the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on the environmental degradation of Ogoniland.
Reacting to a statement credited to SPDC Managing Director, Mutiu Sonmonu that the company will commence bush clearing in Ogoni land, Mr Gbonen said that, the situation was part of plan by SPDC to secreletely resume  exploration in Ogoni land.
He said that no activities would be allowed in Ogoni land until the UNEP report was implemented. The coordinator also  accused the company of using armed youths and soldiers to terrorise the people.
Also speaking, the chairman Tai Shell land lord Contractors Association, Chief Baride Nkpe decried the  use of armed youths and soldiers for the bush clearing contracts, vowing that the people will resist it.
On his own part, Chief Saturday Koo Chairman K-Dere Principal LandLord Indigenous Contractors Association,  urged the company to focus on the environmental cleanup of the area as that would give the people sense of belonging.
According to him, K-Dere which has the highest numbers of oil wells in Ogoni had nothing to show for it.
In their separate speeches  both Mr Peter Osaro and Ngei Chu Ogale, both surveillance contractors also accused SPDC of divide and rule tactics.

Part of Amakeshift Bridge at Apete in Ibadan where ten people were suspected to have drowned when the bridge collapsed after a downpour recently.