Oil Spill: Governor Wike closes Shell headquarters in Port-Harcourt
The Rivers State Government has sealed off Kidney Island owned by Shell Petroleum Development Company. The Island is the company’s base of operations in Port Harcourt.
Ejama-Ebubu community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers had filed a suit against SPDC for environmental pollution. The court in 2017 favoured the community and directed SPDC to pay the sum of N57.7 billion for damages done in the community arising from oil spill from the Trans-Niger Pipeline.
Shell allegedly refused to pay the fines but instead sought to use its moveable properties as partial settlement. The Rivers State High Court found the oil giant’s request as insufficient to settle the fines, Peoples Gazette learnt.
The community sought to take over Shell’s main facility at Kidney Island as well as the company’s stake in OML 11.
Rivers State Attorney General Zaccheus Adangor said after the court order, public auction was held by the officers of the Rivers State Judiciary and the State Government bidded successfully for the purchase of Kidney Island and Shell’s shares in OML 11.
Adangor said the government lawfully purchased Shell’s properties through public auction ordered by the court pursuant to a court judgement in fairness to Shell Petroleum Development Company.
In September, 2019, Governor Nyesom Wike announced the purchase of Shell OML 11 in Ejama. The government said it paid $150 million to buy Shell’s 45 percent stake in OML 11. The Gazette has yet to independently verify the government’s claim.
A spokesman for Shell did not immediately return a request seeking comments from the Gazette about the development. But the Dutch firm had in August 2020 expressed disappointment in the court’s decision to cede its Kidney Island facility and OML 11 shares to the state government.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Heading 2
Okuama Killings: Senator commends DHQ for release of detained traditional ruler
The king was released on Friday by the Defence Headquarters after spending about three weeks in the military custody.
Heading 3
Court adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s N1 billion suit against FG for adoption of processes
Mr Benye said the instant suit was an abuse of court process.
Heading 5
Two die in Ilaro-Owode road crash
She said that a total number of seven people were involved, which comprised four men and three women.
States
APC condemns suspension of Zamfara CPG commandant
We urge the state government to concentrate on meeting its campaign promises, especially in the security sector.
Hot news Home top
Average price of 5kg cooking gas stood at N6,591.62 in March: NBS
The report said the March price represented a 7.10 per cent increase.
Heading 4
ECWA commends CBN over stability, appreciation of naira
The church called for the sustenance of the efforts to help curb inflation.