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Bonga Oil Spill: Presidency Approves $ 5 Billion Fine Against Shell

By on July 24, 2012

The Federal Government has approved a fine of $ 5 billion against Shell for its oil spillage in the Bonga area late last year.

The $ 5 billion fine was recommended by National Oil Spill Detection and Remediation Agency (NOSDRA).

Director General of NOSDRA, Dr. Peter Idabor said in a telephone interview with Vanguard, “We agree that the sample tests show that the spill did not affect the shorelines, also agree the laboratory analysis on the third party spill agree with their own. But looking into the sea, the 30,000 barrels oil spill impacted about 950 square kilometres beneath the sea bed. So as we speak, there is still a lot of oil at the bottom of the ocean which has not been cleaned up.”

The oil industry watchdog has said the fine does not preclude Shell from having to pay additional compensation it the company is found to have caused additional damage not already considered by this fine imposition.

Shell has said it will challenge the fine. According to its MD, Chike Onyejekwe, “SNEPCo will challenge any attempt to impose such a penalty, as the company responded professionally and diligently to the incident and worked at all times alongside and with the support of relevant authorities including NOSDRA.”

Amnesty International has lauded the imposition of the fine and called on Shell to take responsibility.

Amnesty International has called on Shell to:

•Carry out a comprehensive clean-up of oil pollution and environmental damage in Bodo and all other affected sites, in consultation with local communities.

•Support the need for further assessment of oil pollution across the wider oil-producing Niger Delta region.

•Pay fair and adequate compensation to all affected communities.