By Obiabin Onukwugha
Nigerian environmental activists have condemned the decision by oil multinational, Agip, to sell off it’s assets to Oando Plc, describing it as escape responsibility for several years of poisoning the environment and people of the Niger Delta.
The environmentalists, numbering ten, in a press statement made available to newsmen at the weekend, submitted that while firms have the right to dispose of their assets as they see fit, the way in which this transaction is being carried out, is worrisome.
They particularly expressed concern that Agip, which has operated in the Niger Delta region for over six decades did not inform host communities of their decision to leave.
The Environmentalists, also stated that Agip constantly flared gas through its operations, thus wrecking havoc on the Niger Delta environment and it’s people.
“It is important to note that the so-called ‘host’ communities in which Agip has operated for up to six decades are unaware of the impending sale and have not been informed by the firm. They, like the rest of the population, just learned in the news that oil assets situated in their ancestral lands and rivers will be transferred to another company.
“Agip has been operating recklessly for decades, leaving terrible ecological and socioeconomic legacies. Several investigations have found the corporation and its collaborators responsible for environmental degradation that has destroyed livelihoods, poisoned communities, and created circumstances for human rights violations.
“Throughout its operations, Agip has consistently flared gas, wreaking havoc on the health, livelihoods, and environment of Niger Delta oil-producing communities”, the statement read in part.
The condemnation was sequel to a Press Statement issued on September 4th, 2023, announcing that Oando PLC has concluded a deal with Eni to acquire 100% of the shares of Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited.
According to the statement, the selling transaction is subject to the approval of the applicable authorities and other regulatory clearances.
Reacting, the environmentalists said: “This transaction comes a little over two years after Shell, Chevron, Total Energies, and Exxon Mobil attempted to divest vital oil assets. International oil corporations operating in Nigeria’s Niger Delta have clearly agreed to sell off their onshore assets and depart the area.
“While we recognize that firms have the right to dispose of their assets as they see fit, we are worried about the way in which this transaction is being carried out, as well as the immediate and long-term ramifications for communities and the cause of ecological justice.
“The United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP report on the impacts of hydrocarbon pollution in Ogoniland is a reference to the devastating impact of oil extraction. The assessment revealed severe contamination of drinking water sources and exposure of communities to health risks.
“Water was found to contain high levels of cancer-causing benzene 900 times above permitted levels, with at least $ 1 billion and 30 years required to clean the mess.”
They said Agip and SPDC were responsible for 75% oil spills in the Niger Delta between 2006 and 2020, which has contributed to low life expectancy in the region.
Related Posts
“An environmental and social impact report on Bayelsa state indicates that between 2006-2020, Eni (Agip) and SPDC (Shell) accounted for 75% of oil spill incidents in the Niger Delta, which has caused massive health damages, environmental pollution, loss of livelihoods and displacements.
“Oil spilled into the river kills off fishes and other aquatic species, sending numerous fishing families into starvation. The same impacts are felt by farmer-folks when the spills occur on land. Communities trace health challenges including unusually early menopause in women, some as young as 25 years old, respiratory and heart-related symptoms, rise in cancer cases, etc. to the impacts of oil extraction.
“In a region where medical care is scarce, the impact on mortality has been alarming. While life expectancy in Nigeria is one of the lowest in the world at 54 years, in the Niger Delta, it is about 41 years.
“The Bayelsa State Environment and Oil Commission report issued in May 2023 shows that there is 1.5 crude oil barrels per capita pollution in that state besides some heavy metal pollution that is up to 1 million times above safe limits.
“It is unthinkable that despite these well-established social, health, economic, and ecological footprints, Agip plans to simply sell off its assets and walk away. For Niger Delta communities who have lost everything to oil extraction in the last 6 decades, the near clandestine and uniform sale of assets by Agip and other oil multinationals is an attempt to escape responsibility for several years of poisoning the environment and people of the Niger Delta.
“In accordance with the above, we vehemently condemn the acquisition of oil assets of Agip by Oando PLC”, the statement read in part.
They asserted any company willing to set off it’s assets must address several cases and concerns bordering on the ecological, health, economic, and social impacts of its operations in the Niger Delta.
They particularly demanded: “The federal government should immediately place a moratorium on all oil company divestment (or sale of assets) in the Niger Delta, pending the ascertaining of issues of community concern.
“The federal government needs to immediately produce a framework and guide for how oil companies disengage from areas where they have operated. This guide should be developed by a multi-stakeholder group including communities and civil society organizations.”
They further stated that divestment (or sale) framework must contain the following requirements for oil companies and the Nigeria authorities;
“A scientifically developed post hydrocarbon impact assessment report that establishes the exact ecological and livelihoods impacts of oil extraction.
“A health audit of people located in close proximity to extraction sites, and others exposed to oil contamination and gas flaring. This audit will aim at unravelling the negative health impacts of exposure to hydrocarbons.
“A detailed plan and costing for remediating the ecological, livelihood and health impacts of extraction.
“The establishment of independent frameworks for remediating all identified impacts and compensation to the impacted individuals and communities.”
Those who signed the statement included; Nnimmo Bassey, Health or Mother Earth Foundation; Ken Henshaw, We The People; Iniruo Wills, Bayelsa State; Akinbode Oluwafemi, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa; China Williams, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria; Emem Okon, Kebetkatche Women Development and Resource Centre; Tijah Bolton, Policy Alert; Umoh Isua, Peace Point Development Foundation; Anino Atsekurubu- Social Action; and Henry Eferegbo, Niger Delta Network for Environmental Justice.
