Bayelsa community accuses Shell of various forms of human right abuses

Five months after a major oil spillage in May, this year, the people of Aghoro 1 community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have accused the Shell Petroleum Development Company of neglect and intimidation over the firm’s alleged failure to remediate their environment affected by oil spills.

A statement by the Lead Consultant to the community, Furoebi Akene, said the harassment and intimidation of the community was SPDC’s intention to force them to sign a Joint Investigation Visit report that was surreptitiously prepared by them as against the realities on ground but only resorted to various forms of human right abuses such as using the military to intimidate the people.

The statement made available to journalists in Yenagoa accused the oil major of ignoring the environmental standards put in place by regulatory agencies such as the Nigerian Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency.

Akene said that a major crude oil spill occurred around Agoro section of the Trans Ramos pipeline and was noticed on May 17, 2018 while a JIV was made between May 25 and May 29, 2018.

During the visit, it was confirmed that spill was as a result of equipment failure (rupture of the pipe as a result of corrosion) and spilled crude had already spread into Ramos River, creeks and the swamps that covered a large expanse of land.

Akene said that in the process, farm lands, fishing gears, marine and aquatic lives were impacted while the predominantly fishing communities and other settlements were adversely impacted.

He said, “Over five months since the spill occurred, no clean-up and remediation measures have been taken till date. All efforts by the Nigerian Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency for the parties involved to go for a joint post impact survey an assessment have been frustrated by SPDC.

“Imagine crude oil will spill from their facilities and destroy the economic fortunes of the people coupled with the associated health hazards and the degradation of the environment which is inter-generational and there is no remorse from SPDC.

“Instead of rendering apologies to the people or paying appropriate compensations, they adopt divide and rule and oppression.”

He called on the Managing Director and Country Chairman of SPDC in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, and the current SPDC Vice Chairman for Nigeria and Gabon, Mr. Peter Costello, to intervene in the matter.

Recall that in June, the Bayelsa State Government through the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (Rtd.) had criticised the oil giant for the frequent oil spills in the state.

He had made the criticism when he visited the spill sites following the leak of the SPDC River Ramos pipeline and the oil company to conduct an integrity test on its pipelines in the Niger Delta.

He had said that many of the pipelines were laid a long time ago and might have suffered from corrosion.

The spokesman for SPDC, Bamidele Odugbesan, acknowledged the oil spill incident, saying they had recovered over 95 per cent of spilled oil from the sections of the Trans Ramos Pipeline in Aghoro community, Bayelsa State, and in Odimodi community in Delta State.

Odugbesan had in a statement earlier in August, said, “As soon as clean-up and site assessment are completed, we are committed to start the immediate remediation of the impacted areas in Aghoro and Odimodi,”

He said details of the cause and impact of the spills would be captured in the Joint Investigation Visit reports, which would be released after sign-off by all parties.

On intimidation by the military, Odugbesan denied any knowledge of such harassment and intimidation, saying that SPDC does not work with the military or responsible for their action