https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230626/shell-pipeline-leak-contaminates-farms-and-rivers-in-nigeria-1060174243.html
Shell Pipeline Leak Contaminates Farms and Rivers in Nigeria
Shell Pipeline Leak Contaminates Farms and Rivers in Nigeria
Sputnik Africa
Energy giant Shell has previously been repeatedly criticized by local communities in the West African country who have sought to hold the company responsible... 26.06.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-06-26T18:57+0200
2023-06-26T18:57+0200
2023-06-26T18:57+0200
sub-saharan africa
nigeria
nature
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water resources
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A new oil spill at the Shell refinery in Nigeria has polluted farmland and rivers, threatening the livelihoods of fishing and farming communities in Ogoniland, situated in the Niger Delta region.The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) told media that the spill came from the Trans-Niger Pipeline operated by the London-based Shell company.Although the utility has been subjected to criticism for decades and even taken to court for its oil spills, the new one is, according to local residents, one of the largest to date.Now communities are worried that Shell will accuse locals of sabotage, which is a common practice to avoid liability, the activist added.The spill has been localized, but remediation of the aftermath of the leak on farms and in the Okulu River, which courses through populated areas, has stalled, NOSDRA CEO Idris Musa said.In early February, more than 11,000 residents of Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta filed a damages claim against Shell in London's High Court, joining another 2,500 people who have been seeking to hold the company accountable for its detrimental effect on the environment since 2015.The case followed a ruling by the UK's Supreme Court in 2021 that denied the Nigerians' application to sue Shell.However, the Court then ruled that there was a "good arguable case" that the company's parent could owe the communities a duty of care and be legally responsible for the pollution at the heart of the case.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230525/game-changer-experts-stress-significance-of-dangote-refinery-opening-for-nigeria-and-africa-1059467733.html
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Shell Pipeline Leak Contaminates Farms and Rivers in Nigeria
Energy giant Shell has previously been repeatedly criticized by local communities in the West African country who have sought to hold the company responsible for an adverse environmental impact since 2015.
A new oil spill at the Shell refinery in Nigeria has polluted farmland and rivers, threatening the livelihoods of fishing and farming communities in Ogoniland, situated in the Niger Delta region.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) told media that the spill came from the Trans-Niger Pipeline operated by the London-based Shell company.
Although the utility has been subjected to criticism for decades and even taken to court for its
oil spills, the new one is, according to local residents, one of the largest to date.
"It lasted for over a week, bursts into Okulu River – which adjoins other rivers and ultimately empties into the Atlantic Ocean – and affects several communities and displaces more than 300 fishers," Fyneface Dumnamene, a local environmental activist told media.
Now communities are worried that Shell will accuse locals of sabotage, which is a common practice to avoid liability, the activist added.
The spill
has been localized, but remediation of the aftermath of the leak on farms and in the Okulu River, which courses through populated areas, has stalled, NOSDRA CEO Idris Musa said.
NOSDRA recorded a total of 822 oil spills in 2020 and 2021, with 28,003 barrels released into the environment.
In early February, more than 11,000 residents of Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta filed a damages claim against Shell in London's High Court, joining another 2,500 people who have been seeking to hold the company accountable for its detrimental effect on the environment since 2015.
The case followed a ruling by the UK's Supreme Court in 2021 that
denied the Nigerians' application to sue Shell.
However, the Court then ruled that there was a "good arguable case" that the company's parent could owe the communities a duty of care and be legally responsible for the pollution at the heart of the case.
