Governor Douye Diri says International Oil Companies (IOCs), particularly Shell Petroleum Development Company, have been responsible for the environmental degradation in Bayelsa.

Mr Diri disclosed this at the Annual Convention and Fund Raising of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) of the Americas, held in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Sunday.

The governor specifically fingered Shell as a major culprit in the degradation of the Bayelsa environment.

“After waiting several years for dialogue without Shell or any other IOC coming forward, we will be compelled to institute legal action against the Dutch super oil major and other IOCs.

‘‘Today, Shell is divesting, and I call on the minister of petroleum that we have a duty to ensure that Shell’s divestment must take care of ameliorating our environment.

“Today, our flora and fauna are gone. Our beautiful environment is also gone. We will need the support of our brothers and sisters in the diaspora because there is so much we will achieve if we work together,’’ Mr Diri said.

(NAN)