We have nothing to do with dead fishes along Niger Delta coastline —Shell

The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), has denied that its operations is responsible for the dead fishes littering the coastline of the Niger Delta region of the country.

The company stated this on Monday in a statement by its Media Relations Manager, Bamidele Odugbesan.

It would be recalled that residents along the Atlantic coastline in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom reported massive death of croaker fish species since February, raising concerns of increased toxicity of the territorial waters.

This led an environmentalist, Mr Furoebi Akene, to allege that the situation was as a result of the discharge of toxic chemicals from Shell’s operations at Ogulagha in Delta.

According to the SPDC statement, there was no oil leakage from its activities linked to the dead fishes.

Odugbesan also disclosed that Shell was supporting the Delta State Government in investigating the cause of the massive death of fishes as well as participating in ongoing joint investigation by oil industry regulators.

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“The SPDC hereby clarifies that there is no release of dangerous, toxic or chemical substances from its operations at the Forcados oil terminal or from its facilities in Ogulagha or any part of the Niger Delta where the company operates.

“Relevant government agencies are already investigating the alleged `fish kill incident’ along the coastline in the Niger Delta and SPDC is supporting the investigations.

“The Nigeria Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) was widely reported to have clearly stated that there is no evidence that oil and gas operations may have impacted the aquatic environment as being claimed in respect of the `fish kill incident.’

“On our part, we are working with the relevant government agencies and the Delta State Ministry of Environment in the investigation of the allegation.

“We have conducted a joint investigation visit to the coastline, samples have been collected and testing is ongoing in accredited laboratories,” Odugbesan stated.

”All hands must be on deck in assessment of the possible cause or causes of death of the fishes in such large numbers,” Musa said.

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