MOVEMENT FOR THE SURVIVAL OF THE OGONI PEOPLE
(MOSOP)

27 ODU STREET, OGBUNABALI, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE.
TEL/FAX: 084 - 233907; EMAIL: [email protected]
International Secretariat ph (+44) 20 7357 0304 Fax (+44) 20 7 357 0305
[email protected]

Press Release Friday 4th May 2001, London UK

SHELL'S PUBLIC RESPONSE TO OIL BLOWOUT A DISASTER

The Nigerian human and environmental right group MOSOP has today called on
oil multinational Royal Dutch Shell to immediately cease making misleading
statements regarding the major oil and gas blowout which has occurred in the
Yorla oilfield in eastern Ogoni in the oil rich Niger delta.

"In the past two days Shell has alternated between blaming the local people
for this disaster by accusing them of vandalisation and in a contradictory
position declaring that all the abandoned oil wells in Ogoni are a 'time
bomb' due to lack of maintenance," said Ledum Mitee President of MOSOP
speaking from London today.

Shell spokesperson in Port Harcourt Donald Boham was first reported by a
number of wire services to be speculating on vandalisation as cause of the
Yorla oil field blowout on Tuesday 1st May. By later that day Reuters was
quoting Shell as describing the 'spill' as manageable despite no significant
containment action and the call in of US experts Boots & Coots International
. On Wednesday 2nd May Boham was being quoted by the BBC and Reuters
describing abandoned oil wells in Ogoni as a 'time bomb' and that 'the spill
at the Yorla field was proof that all the unsecured wells in the area it
abandoned hastily nine years ago because of unrest could blow without
warning'.

"These statements are irresponsible and are causing considerable confusion
and deepening the suspicion that Ogoni people have regarding Shell's
intentions and motives. We are demanding an apology on behalf of the local
people who are currently struggling to prevent this dangerous situation
worsening. MOSOP staff visiting the site are advising that the cloud of
toxic and volatile oil and gas in the area is continuing to spread 5 days
after the blowout began on Sunday 29th April."

"We are aware that Shell has made promises to the local paramount chief and
others from the area that it would send medical assistance, relief
materials, and the specialist team from the U.S. Boots & Coots
International Well Control Inc to the villages which surround the blowout
site . As at 7pm yesterday we are being advised none of these had arrived
in the local area ."

" Shell's public handling of this matter has been a disaster and an insult
to the local people. To publicly speculate about vandalisation at a time
when local people have risked their own lives to prevent a blowout becoming
a devastating fire is conduct that we would not expect from any company."

" Shell must undo the damage it has caused by apologising and contrasting
its words with clear and decisive action which treats the local people with
respect. We urge the company to work with all concerned parties to end the
delays in their response to this blowout. In contrast to some Shell
statements we believe that local people have responded responsibly to this
incident with the utmost urgency and we believe that Shell must explain any
reason for further delay."

For more information

MOSOP London office (+44) 20 7357 0304 mobile (+44) 777 916 9744

MOSOP Port Harcourt office (+234) 84 233 907 Bari ara Kpalap

Interview requests with Ledum Mitee should be directed to (+44) 777 916 9744