Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) is seeking very harsh penalties on oil companies whose facilities pollute the environment in Niger Delta.

The group also said penalties would deter oil companies, especially Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), which is allegedly responsible for devastating oil spills in Ogoni.

The President, Fegalo Nsuke, stated this during a visit to the site of last Thursday’s oil spills from SPDC pipelines in the K-Dere community of Gokana Local Council of Rivers State.

While reiterating his earlier condemnation of Shell as an irresponsible company, the MOSOP leader regretted that the spill had not been put out by Shell five days after it occurred and the community was being destroyed day and night.

Nsuke maintained that the monumental spills seemed as if the Nigerian laws were tolerant of irresponsible oil operators and failed to discourage oil companies from such environmental damage.

He, therefore, called for a review of the Petroleum Industry Act to deter oil companies from reckless pollution of the environment, noting that there was a need to impose heavy fines and compensation that are payable to those who suffer losses.

The MOSOP leader declared: “As long as the consequences of environmental pollution remain light and don’t have a strong impact on companies’ balance sheets, oil companies are unlikely to take the issue of pipeline integrity and environmental protection more seriously.”