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An oil spill around the villages of Ole and Olomoro in Delta State in the south has caused damage to crops, fish ponds and lakes, 'The Guardian' reported on Wednesday.
A spokesman for the oil company Shell told IRIN on Wednesday that a spill had taken place in the region but that its cause and volume were still not known. A joint investigation team including Shell officials, police, members of environmental protection groups and state petroleum officials visited the area on Tuesday. Their report will be made public soon, the
spokesman said
The spillage started on 17 June after the flow station was shut by rioting youths from the area, 'The Guardian' quoted a villager as saying. The damage became extensive after heavy rain caused the oil to overflow through farmland and waterways, he said.
There have been several reports in recent months of flow stations being closed in the oil-producing Delta region following riots or sabotage attempts by local youths who accuse the transnational oil companies of exploiting the region and its people.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions