Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has said that International Oil Companies (IOCs), notably Shell Petroleum Development Company, bear responsibility for the oil spillage causing extensive environmental degradation in Bayelsa.
Addressing attendees at the Annual Convention and Fundraising of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) of the Americas, held in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Sunday, Diri singled out Shell PLC as the primary perpetrator contributing to the deterioration of the Bayelsa environment.
“After waiting several years for dialogue without Shell or any other IOC coming forward, we will be compelled to institute legal action against the Dutch super oil major and other IOCs.
‘‘Today, Shell is divesting, and I call on the minister of petroleum that we have a duty to ensure that Shell’s divestment must take care of ameliorating our environment.
“Today, our flora and fauna are gone. Our beautiful environment is also gone. We will need the support of our brothers and sisters in the diaspora because there is so much we will achieve if we work together,’’ Diri said.