Eight communities appeal for help against oil spill

Eight communities in Delta State appealed on Monday for potable water, food and mobile clinics following an oil spill that has devastated their farmlands and waterways, ‘The Guardian’ reported. The spillage at Well 13, described as the worst such mishap in the State, has also destroyed fish ponds and polluted wells, compelling the communities to buy drinking water from Ughelli town, the Lagos daily said. Oil from the well, which shot almost 100 metres into the air, has affected many communities in the Ughelli North Council area. Their leaders have demanded that the Department of Petroleum Resources, the police, government officials and the well’s owners, Shell Petroleum Development Company, inspect the damage. The minister of state for the environment, Ime Okopido, who visited the site, said almost 1,000 barrels of crude oil were being spilled daily. ‘The Guardian’ said there was an oil slick that extended 10 km from the spill point. On emerging from a meeting on Monday, community leaders threatened to shut down all Shell facilities in the area.