Shell Accused of ‘Environmental Terrorism & Racism’
A landmark decision by the UK Court of Appeal has recently breathed new life into the fight for environmental justice in Nigeria. The court ruled in favor of the Bille and Ogale communities, allowing them to proceed with their lawsuit against Shell for alleged oil spills that have devastated their land, waterways, and drinking water.
Shell’s actions in Nigeria amount to “environmental terrorism” and “environmental racism,” Alagoa Morris, Deputy Executive Director of the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), and a leading Nigerian environmentalist, said in an interview with Sputnik Africa.
“Sometimes we are compelled to say they’re practicing what we call ‘environmental terrorism’ or ‘environmental racism’ here in the Niger Delta, because what they cannot do in the Netherlands or in the UK, they just do it flagrantly here,” Morris expressed, commenting on the UK Court of Appeals rule in favor of Nigerian communities over alleged pollution by oil giant Shell.
The ruling overturned a previous High Court decision that dismissed the claims, citing a lack of specific linkage between individual spills and damage. The communities argue that Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), is responsible for the environmental devastation caused by an estimated 100 oil spills that have devastated their land, waterways, and drinking water.
“Instead of doing proper cleanups, their agents, sponsored agents, will set the place ablaze, frying, roasting the environment, further degrading the environment,” Morris pointed.
He also drew attention to a similar case involving US company Chevron, where a major explosion at their North Apoi gas facility in 2012 caused extensive damage, including the death of marine life. Despite numerous cases filed in Nigeria and California, Chevron successfully escaped legal accountability using “flimsy excuses.”
Highlighting the long-term health and environmental consequences of oil spills in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, particularly in Bayelsa State, the Nigerian activist cited multiple reports, including a recent study by the Bayelsa State Environment and Oil Commission, which concluded that every resident of Bayelsa has been exposed to “some barrels” of crude oil pollution.
“They [reports] talk about still-births, they talk about several ailments associated with the oil spills,” Morris stated. “If you go to that community, there are cases, clear cases of cancer, wherein young persons are coming down with cancer… some have died.”
He blamed these health issues on the “oil industry-induced pollution” from oil spills, gas leaks, and ongoing gas flaring. He added that the long-term effects of oil spills extend beyond health, impacting livelihoods and socio-economic well-being.
In conclusion, he urged young people to utilize social media platforms to raise awareness, advocate for change, and join the movement for a cleaner and safer environment:
“We hope they will take it very seriously because the future belongs to them,” he said.
