News

Just In: Netherlands Court Held Shell Liable For Oil Spill In N’Delta, Orders Compensation, ERA/FoEN Lauds Judgement

Published

3 years ago

January 29, 2021

Editor

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, ERA/FoEN, has lauded judgement by the Netherlands Court of Appeal that held Shell liable for oil spills across Nigeria’s coastal communities of the Niger Delta and consequently ordered it (Shell) to pay compensation for the spills which polluted rivers, fishponds and farmlands that thousands of local farmers and fishermen in the oil-rich region farm and fish.

Recall that in 2008, four Nigerian farmers from Ikot Ada Udo, Oruma and Goi in the Niger Delta supported by the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria and sister organization: Milieudefensie/Friends of the Earth, Netherlands, sued Shell for oil pollution in the three Niger Delta villages.

Amongst others, the farmers demanded that Shell clean up the oil spills; pay compensation for the damages caused; and improve the maintenance of its pipelines and installations to prevent future spills.

However, reacting to the judgement held January 29, 2021, in a press statement made available to newsmen in Benin, Friday, Dr Godwin Uyi Ojo, Executive Director, (ERA/FoEN), described the outcome of the case which had dragged in the Appeal Court for over 13 years as a landmark judgment which the organisation is very proud of.

He said the judgement showed that the days of oil companies in Nigeria, particularly Shell criminalising local communities and framing them up for sabotage of crude oil pipelines were over, just as he added that the judgment has “further shown the environmental liability of parent companies for the conduct of their foreign subsidiaries.”

The statement reads in part, “Shell no longer has any hiding place, as this victory will open up a flood gate of court cases against Shell and the oil companies doing business in Nigeria and hiding under weak regulations, lack of enforcement of its extant rules, and taking advantage of the lack of political will of the Nigerian government tobring oil transnationals to account.

“The significance of the landmark judgement is that it addresses the question of access to justice that is very much in question in Nigeria when it comes to holding the oil companies accountable for their human rights violations and environmental degradation.

“The judgement is urgent and strategic as the world transits away from fossil fuels, there is the need to ensure that the devastation done to our environment by Shell is cleaned up and appropriate compensation is paid to communities that have suffered in many cases irreparable losses,” the statement added.

The Executive Director enjoined Shell to comply with the court verdict, while urging the judge to do the needful in awarding compensation and preventive costs.

Ojo, therefore, called on the Niger Delta communities and CSOs not to relent in their pursuit for justice, adding that over 13 years struggle in the court has paid off.

He also called on the Nigerian government to revamp its regulatory bodies in the oil industry by ensuring that criminal acts of oil transnationals are punished severely.

He further urged the government to take concrete steps to wean Nigeria of its dependence on revenues from oil and gas, build a new economy on the back of a clear renewable energy framework as quickly as possible, and ensure the gradual phasing out of oil and gas activities in the country.

News

Aid Reveals What Peter Obi Discussed With Atiku, Saraki, Lamido During Visits

Published

2 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Editor

The reason behind the visit of 2023 presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi to top political figures such Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Saraki and Sule Lamido has been revealed.

Obi’s spokesperson, Dr Yunusa Tanko, said the visit was in line with the former Anambra governor’s commitment to the peace and progress of the nation.

DAILY POST reported that Obi in Abuja on Monday visited some top political figures, including former Vice President, and PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and the former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido.

“At the center of discussion during each of these visits was the state of the nation and how to reduce the suffering of all Nigerians irrespective of class and location,” Tanko said in the statement.

“In particular, the desperate condition of the downtrodden in our midst was highlighted.

“Of particular interest and emphasis in these discussions was the worrisome situation in the Northern parts of the country.”

News

Gov Fubara Vows To Probe Wike

Published

2 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Editor

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Monday announced a plan by his administration to set up a panel to probe previous governments including the immediate past administration of Nyesom Wike.

Governor Fubara who has been in a face-off with Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, disclosed the plan after swearing in Dagogo Iboroma as the Attorney General of the state.

The governor expressed pessimism that the lingering political crisis currently rocking the state cannot be resolved anytime soon.

Apparently referring to Wike, the governor accused his opponents of deliberately sabotaging his administration while he was hopeful that the issue in the state would be resolved amicably.

Governor Fubara vowed to make tough decisions moving forward no matter how they would be perceived by the public.

Fubara also responded to recent comments by former Attorney General Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Works Alabo George-Kelly.

According to the governor, the former attorney general alongside other critics of his administration have been sabotaging the progress of his government by filing nolle prosequi against the interest of the state.