A statement issued by the ministry noted that the minister gave the directive when officials of Shell, led by its country Chairman, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, met with the minister.
The statement said she expressed worries over the lingering crisis on the matter, with series of petitions to her office over the issue.
“It is in the interest of all parties to get the matter settled soonest,” the minister said, adding that the federal government would not allow the patience of the people to be overstretched.
The statement appealed especially to shoreline communities, whose fishing activities were affected by the spillage, to continue to exercise patience, adding that government was not unaware of the impact of the spillage on their means of livelihoods.
The country chairman, who was accompanied by the Managing Director/CEO of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO), among others, told the minister that the corporation widely consulted with stakeholders, adding that it would come out with a mechanism to put the matter to rest.
Mr. Sunmonu revealed that a committee of stakeholders made up of Shell Petroleum Development Corporation (SPDC), the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the National Assembly (NASS), Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs), National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), among others, were already working out sets of recommendations aimed at resolving the matter amicably.
The Shell boss appealed to the minister, whom he referred to as the neutral umpire, to assist in the settlement of the dispute.
He acknowledged the patience of the host communities, suing for their continuous understanding.
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