Amnesty Accuses Shell of Neglecting Niger Delta Infrastructure, Demands Region-wide Cleanup
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Amnesty International has accused Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of failing to adequately maintain its oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta, allegedly contributing to persistent
Amnesty International has accused oil giant Shell of neglecting infrastructure maintenance in the Niger Delta, contributing to persistent pollution and environmental degradation. The organization, in a report titled 'Nigeria: Lifting the Lid', demanded a comprehensive cleanup of the entire region. The report, published in collaboration with various human rights and environmental groups, scrutinized Shell's operations through documentary evidence, internal communications, and court records.
It alleged that inadequate maintenance of pipelines and repair policies allowed damaged sections to remain in service, further polluting the region. Amnesty called on the Nigerian government to require oil companies to conduct independent audits of their pipelines and infrastructure, and to assess the impact of pollution on communities' health, water resources, fisheries, and agriculture.
The organization also urged the UK and Dutch governments to examine Shell's environmental records, investigate the allegations, and enforce stricter regulations for multinational corporations. Amnesty International's Nigerian representative pledged to present the report's findings to the Federal Government, urging a thorough investigation and remediation.
An environmental advocate emphasized that the divestment of oil assets should not absolve companies of their responsibility to clean up polluted sites, emphasizing the interconnected nature of pollution issues across the Niger Delta.
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