A major assessment of the impacts of oil production in the Ogoni region of the Niger Delta was jointly launched today by the Governor of Rivers State and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Bori, Nigeria. The assessment, which was requested by the Government of Nigeria, will last approximately one year... The findings of the environmental assessment will be used to make recommendations on the appropriate levels of remediation needed to rehabilitate the land to a condition that is environmentally acceptable, on the basis of international standards... The total budget for the assessment is USD 9.5 million, which is provided by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). The SPDC is a joint venture operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Shell, Elf/Total and Agip [part of Eni]...