Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo are becoming more concerned about air pollution caused by oil companies along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

Jean-Claude Vuemba, MP for Kasangulu, wants oil and gas company Parenco to pay compensation to those who have suffered because of oil well drilling. He urged the government of the DRC to ignore previous promises the company made of building schools, hospitals and roads, and pay attention to the real effects drilling is having on the country.

Following his visit to the town of Mwanda, Vuemba told journalists that the pollution caused by the industry is having a negative effect on plants, people and animals - to an extent which can no longer be tolerated. He added that some species of fish, plants and animals have disappeared altogether.

Vuemba said people are also suffering at the hands of this industry, with more children being born with illnesses and birth defects than ever before. Cases of breathing difficulties and skin diseases among the elderly have also seen a dramatic increase.

The MP said he will show footage he filmed on his Mwanda to the company this week. He said people in his country can no longer cultivate such barren land causing food shortages.