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Protesters stop oil clean-up
02/09/2003 12:57 - (SA)
Lagos - Nigerian protesters are preventing oil workers from clearing up a spill 11 days after an explosion wrecked a disused pipeline in the troubled Ogoni region, says oil giant Shell.
The Anglo-Dutch major pulled out of Ogoniland in 1993 amid protests and bad publicity about pollution and the Nigerian government's treatment of the minority Ogoni community, which was demanding a share of oil revenues.
But the region is still dotted with capped-off oil facilities, which are often the target of vandals and oil thieves.
A Shell spokesman said that on August 22 an explosion on a pipeline near the village of Gio had caused a major oil spill that had polluted farmland and killed fish in rivers and streams.
He said the villagers were demanding compensation before they would allow Shell to clean up the area, but added that the company should not be blamed for the incident as it no longer operated in the area.
"We appeal to the community to allow us access to the place so that we can remedy the situation," he added.
Ogoniland, in the heart of the oil-rich Niger Delta, was home to late environmental and rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa who was executed in October 1995 after a show trial orchestrated by the military regime.
His killing sparked local and international outrage, leading to Nigeria's expulsion from the Commonwealth.
The west African country was readmitted in 1999 after its return to civilian rule after more than 15 years of military dictatorship.
- AFP
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