Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has urged the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) to clear blocked water canals and lakes around its Gbarain-Ubie gas facility in Yenagoa Local Government.
He spoke yesterday at a stakeholders’ meeting with SPDC officials and representatives of Ogboloma, Okolobiri, Opolo, Obunagha, Yenezue-Epie and other affected communities, at the Government House, Yenagoa.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, sympathised with the communities experiencing flood and other environmental challenges due to the blocked canals and lakes, occasioned by construction works at the facility and its access roads.
He said the livelihood of the residents had been affected by the development, describing as unacceptable, the reasons adduced by SPDC in its explanation of causes of the delay in clearing the natural water channels.
The governor urged Shell to identify the blocked areas and begin remediation, including clearing of water hyacinths from the waterways, to enable the people access their farmlands and fishing ports.
He urged the oil firm to issue a procurement order for the clearing of the canals.
Diri hailed the communities for their show of understanding and patience for about 16 years of the existence of the Gbarain-Ubie gas plant project that led to the blockage of water canals and lakes.
He pleaded with the communities to remain peaceful and law-abiding, as any disruption of oil exploration anywhere in the state would affect its monthly revenue.
