Oil pollution, according to researchers, also generates air-borne diseases which not only affect human beings but also contributes to scarcity of fish and other marine animals

The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) released it environmental assessment of Ogoni in August 2011. The report according to Shell bulletin, was commissioned by and delivered to the Federal Government of Nigeria. It makes recommendations to the government, the oil and gas industry and communities to begin a comprehensive cleanup of Ogoniland, restore polluted environments and put an end to all forms of ongoing oil contamination in the region.

The UNEP has assessed that the environmental restoration of Ogoniland would require coordinated efforts on the part of government agencies at all levels, industry operators and communities. It also presented its recommendations as a major opportunity to bring new investments and employment opportunities and drive improvements in the environmental and health situation on the ground.

Majority of the Ogonis believe that on completion of the cleanup exercise by the present administration, their environment would be restored and serious farming activities would commence.

“We are hopeful that at the end of this clean up, our land will be restored and serious agricultural activities will commence. We need something urgent to be done towards this direction because majority of the Ogonis will like to go back to farming which is our primary trade,’’ stated a resident of Bomu, Tombari Dekor.