The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), a subsidiary of petroleum giant Royal Dutch/Shell, will have to clean up more than 250 oil spills linked to its operations in Nigeria's Rivers State. Rivers State governor Peter Odili recently made this known to SPDC managing director Basil Omiyi. Odili said the spills are dangerous for the environment and urged the company to take the help of the country's environment ministry in the clean-up.

Omiyi is the first Nigerian to be appointed to SPDC's top post and is supervising the relocation of the company's headquarters from Lagos to Port Harcourt in Rivers State. Omiyi praised Odili's efforts to facilitate the relocation. Odili made the demand for the clean-up while assuring him of the government's willingness to ensure the success of the venture.