Shell placed an oil installation in the village of Ikot Ada Udo nearly 50 years ago at the head of an oil well. Shortly after it installed the wellhead, Shell decided not to produce oil in that place but left the installation in place. Since then, the wellhead has been left abandoned among the vegetable gardens of the village of Ikot Ada Udo. It has been nicknamed the Christmas tree because it resembles one. |
| Name of conflict: | Ikot Ado Udo Case, Nigeria |
| Country: | Nigeria |
| State or province: | Akwa Ibom State |
| Location of conflict: | Ikot Ada Udo Local Government Area |
| Accuracy of location | MEDIUM (Regional 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) Aquaculture and fisheries |
| Specific commodities: | Crude oil |
| Project details | |
| Project area: | 50 |
| Type of population | Urban |
| Start of the conflict: | 1996 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) from Netherlands Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from Nigeria |
| Relevant government actors: | NOSDRA , Federal Ministry of Environment |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Friends of the Earth, Netherlands (Milieu Defensie) |
| Intensity | HIGH (widespread, mass mobilization, violence, arrests, etc...) |
| Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
| Groups mobilizing: | Farmers Indigenous groups or traditional communities Local ejos Landless peasants Neighbours/citizens/communities Social movements Trade unions Women Local scientists/professionals Fisher people |
| 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 Land occupation Lawsuits, court cases, judicial activism Media based activism/alternative media Official complaint letters and petitions Public campaigns Street protest/marches Occupation of buildings/public spaces Appeals/recourse to economic valuation of the environment |
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Air pollution, Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Food insecurity (crop damage), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Noise pollution, Soil contamination, Waste overflow, Oil spills, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality Potential: Fires, Floods (river, coastal, mudflow), Genetic contamination, Groundwater pollution or depletion |
| Health Impacts | Visible: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…) Potential: Malnutrition, Mental problems including stress, depression and suicide, Infectious diseases |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Displacement, Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Loss of livelihood, Specific impacts on women, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place Potential: Militarization and increased police presence |
| Project Status | Proposed (exploration phase) |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Under negotiation |
| Proposal and development of alternatives: | -Develop a solid plan to clean up the oil pollution in Ikot Ada Udo community and the entire Niger Delta. As recommended by the UN, this plan should include Shell depositing $1 billion to a special emergency fund for the most urgent clean up operations in the Niger Delta. -Close all oil wells that are illegally flaring gas before January 1, 2013 in Ikot Ada Udo and other Niger Delta -Develop a clear plan to improve the maintenance of the pipeline network in Nigeria, and protect them against theft and sabotage. -Offer serious financial compensation to farmers and fishermen whose means of living have been destroyed as a result of the oil leaks in the community and the entire Niger Delta. |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | Not Sure |
| Briefly explain: | Aquaculture is still not possible and residents have still received no compensation. Shell has provided the village with funding for a drinking water tank and water pipes. In the meantime, a small wall has also been constructed about the Christmas tree, and Shell has ordered a concrete plug to be installed. In early November 2007 the Nigerian parliament passed a resolution to ensure that shell clean up the community. But this has not yielded meaningful results as the pollution still prevails. Although the case has be charged to court in the Netherlands, waiting Justice in favour of the affect community. |
| Juridical relevant texts related to the conflict (laws, legislations, EIAs, etc) |
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| Other comments: | ANGLO-Dutch oil and gas super major, Shell, will appear in a Dutch court to account for damage it caused in Nigeria. This is the first time in history; a European company is appearing in a Dutch court. The court case against Shells oil spills in Nigeria has been filed by four Nigerian plaintiffs in conjunction with Friends of the Earth Netherlands and supported by Friends of the Earth Nigeria. Lawyers for both parties will plea at a key hearing in The Hague this coming October 11 2012, at 9:30am. The verdict is however, expected early in 2013. |
| Contributor: | Nnimmo Bassey |
| Last update | 18/08/2019 |
| Conflict ID: | 577 |