The Royal Dutch Shell has come under criticism as a group, Oil Spill Victims Vanguard, OSPIVV, on Thursday said over 170,000 fisher-persons, as well as 350 communities along the coastlines between Bayelsa and Delta States, were negatively impacted by the 2011 Bonga oil spill in Nigeria.
OSPIVV Executive Director, Harrison Jalla made the assertion at a press conference held in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, disclosing that the communities were impacted when Royal Dutch Shell and its subsidiaries (Shell International Trading and Shipping Company, SNEPCO) out of alleged gross negligence in their Bonga Field operations discharged over 40,000 barrels of crude oil into the Atlantic Ocean.
“The pollution from the discharge which covered a distance of over 185 kilometres along the Nigeria Coastline compelled Fisher persons to desert the sea, polluted farmlands, vegetation and contaminated the environment in Ekeremo, Southern Ijaw and Brass Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.
“While in Delta State, Warri South-West, Warri South, Warri North, BURUTU and some Riverine areas in Ondo.”
Jalla however expressed confidence that he will be victorious in the suit he filed against Royal Dutch Shell and its subsidiaries (Shell International Trading and Shipping Company, SNEPCO).
Jalla had dragged the Royal Dutch Shell and its subsidiaries since 21st September 2017 before an English Court through his lawyers, John&Steller Solicitors of Hanover Square Mayfair London.
He is seeking for benefits of individual claimants and communities negatively impacted by the Bonga Spill by the Bonga Oil Spill of December 20th, 2017.
Jalla is praying the English Court to compel Royal Dutch Shell and its subsidiaries to do the clean-up, rectification, restoration, compensation and damages occasioned by the negative impact of the December 20th, 2011 and having adduced our evidence, said, “We are sure of victory”.
He stated that the matter in Claim Number: HT-2017-000383 has been listed for hearing in September 2019.
