Bonga OilSspill: Akwa Ibom Fishermen Applaud NOSDRA on Shell Fine

Reports say that the fine was imposed on the oil multi-national company over the recent Bonga oil spill.
 
The Akwa Ibom fishermen, under the aegis of Artisan Fishermen Association of Nigeria, said the regulatory agency’s action vindicated their position on the impact of the oil spill on fishing trade.
 
Chairman of the association in the state, Rev. Samuel Ayadi told newsmen that the sanction would send a warning signal to other oil industry operators.
 
He said the fishermen appreciated the tireless efforts of NOSDRA in combating oil spills and making the waters safe for fishing.
 
Ayadi also noted that on the orders of NOSDRA, fishermen in the state had pulled out of the waters for about eight weeks to pave way for the spill’s clean-up.
 
“We thank the Federal Government and NOSDRA for a job well done, because the fine on the oil company was just the right thing to do.
 
``That spill from the Shell facility put all fishermen in the Niger Delta out of business for almost eight weeks.
 
“We pulled out of the waters as directed by NOSDRA and we are, in the same spirit of compliance, urging Shell to comply with the fine order and pay.
 
“This will enable the agency and the federal government to compensate the affected communities and fishermen,’’ he said.
 
Ayadi contended that the fishermen deserved to be compensated for the loss of revenue while the clean-up lasted.
 
You will recall that Dr Peter Idabor, the NOSDRA Director-General, had announced the sanction on the oil company at a public hearing on issues in the oil industry.
 
The public hearing was held at the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly in Uyo on July 16.
 
The oil spill, which occurred from a Shell facility on Dec.20, 2011, had seen about 40,000 barrels of crude discharged into the Atlantic Ocean.
 
Meanwhile, in a statement made in Eket, Shell has continued to maintain that the oil firm handled the oil spill in a professional manner.
 
``We do not believe there is any basis in law for such a fine. Neither do we believe that SNEPCO has committed any infraction of Nigerian law to warrant such a fine.
 
``SNEPCO responded to this incident with professionalism and acted with the consent of the necessary authorities at all times to prevent environmental impact as a result of the incident,’’ the statement signed by Precious Okolobo, the company’s spokesman, said.