The people of Ewelesuo community are Nembe speaking Ijaw folks in Nembe local government area of Bayelsa State. The people are predominately fishermen, and rely on their creeks for survival. They host Shells Nembe 3 flow station and Wellhead 64. |
The people of Ewelesuo community are Nembe speaking Ijaw folks in Nembe local government area of Bayelsa State. The people are predominately fishermen, and rely on their creeks for survival. They host Shells Nembe 3 flow station and Wellhead 64. |
Name | Shell Oil Spill at Nembe Creeks, Nigeria |
Country | Nigeria |
Province | Bayelsa State |
Site | Ewelesuo Community, Nembe Local Government Area |
Accuracy of Location | HIGH local level |
Type of Conflict (1st level) | Fossil Fuels and Climate Justice/Energy |
Type of Conflict (2nd level) | Oil and gas exploration and extraction Pollution related to transport (spills, dust, emissions) |
Specific Commodities | Crude oil |
Project Details | According to NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) annual Bulletin 2010 states that: at Nembe Creeks produce: 2,627,556.36 Barrels of oil, and 1,872,366.81 Mscf of Gas Produced. |
Type of Population | Rural |
Start Date | 15/08/2012 |
Company Names or State Enterprises | Royal Dutch Shell (SPDC) from Netherlands Royal Dutch Shell (RDS) from Netherlands Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from Nigeria |
Relevant government actors | Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. |
Environmental justice organisations and other supporters | Environmental Rights Action, Oilwatch Nigeria, Trade Unions, Women Groups |
Intensity of Conflict (at highest level) | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
When did the mobilization begin | Mobilization for reparations once impacts have been felt |
Groups Mobilizing | Social movements Farmers Women Indigenous groups or traditional communities Local ejos Neighbours/citizens/communities Trade unions Fisher people Local scientists/professionals Informal workers Landless peasants |
Forms of Mobilization | Community-based participative research (popular epidemiology studies, etc..) Creation of alternative reports/knowledge Development of a network/collective action Development of alternative proposals Involvement of national and international NGOs Media based activism/alternative media Public campaigns Appeals/recourse to economic valuation of the environment |
Environmental Impacts | Visible: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Food insecurity (crop damage), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Oil spills, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover Potential: Air pollution, Floods (river, coastal, mudflow), Genetic contamination, Global warming, Soil contamination, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion |
Health Impacts | Visible: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…) Potential: Occupational disease and accidents, Infectious diseases, Other environmental related diseases |
Socio-economic Impacts | Visible: Displacement, Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Specific impacts on women, Loss of landscape/sense of place Potential: Violations of human rights, Land dispossession |
Project Status | In operation |
Pathways for conflict outcome / response | Under negotiation New Environmental Impact Assessment/Study |
Development of Alternatives | -A joint Investigation Visit [JIV] and report is necessary to official explain the cause of spill and make related recommendations -Shell should fellow with immediate clean-up -Victims should be compensated, including individuals and that was has to do with Water right |
Do you consider this as a success? | No |
Why? Explain briefly. | The spill has not yet be contained, pollution is still widespread in the creeks, rendering economic activities to a stand still. |
Legislations |
| ||||||
References |
| ||||||
Links |
| ||||||
Media Links |
| ||||||
Other Comments | Nigeria Federal Government agencies, such as NESREA and NOSDRA. NESREA (National Environmental Standards and Regulation Agency) has responsibility for the protection and development of the environment, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development of Nigerias natural resources in general and environmental technology including coordination, and liaison with, relevant stakeholders within and outsider Nigeria on maters of enforcement of environmental standards, regulations, rules, laws policies and guidelines. |
Contributor | Godwin Uyi Ojo |
Last update | 08/04/2014 |