Otuasega Community is located along the Kolo Creek in Ogbia local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The people are predominately farmers and fisher folks. They are host to oil wells operated by SPDC. The spill occurred along Shell pipelines at Yenagoa/ Imirigi road, which has ruined farmlands and truncated the livelihoods of the local people. |
| Name | Shell Spill in Otuasega Community, Nigeria |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Province | Bayelsa State |
| Site | Ogbia 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) |
| Specific Commodities | Crude oil |
| Type of Population | Rural |
| Start Date | 21/04/2012 |
| Company Names or State Enterprises | Royal Dutch Shell (SPDC) from Netherlands Royal Dutch Shell (RDS) from Netherlands |
| Relevant government actors | NOSDRA , NESREA |
| Environmental justice organisations and other supporters | Environmental Rights Action |
| 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 | Farmers Indigenous groups or traditional communities Local ejos Neighbours/citizens/communities Social movements Trade unions Women Fisher people |
| Forms of Mobilization | Community-based participative research (popular epidemiology studies, etc..) Development of a network/collective action Involvement of national and international NGOs Official complaint letters and petitions |
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Oil spills Potential: Air pollution, Fires, Genetic contamination, Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation |
| Health Impacts | Potential: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…), Malnutrition, Other environmental related diseases |
| Socio-economic Impacts | Visible: Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Loss of landscape/sense of place Potential: Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Specific impacts on women, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession |
| Project Status | In operation |
| Pathways for conflict outcome / response | Under negotiation |
| Development of Alternatives | -The authorities should ensure that a Joint Investigation Team is constituted to properly investigate the cause, spread, quantity and likely impact of the spill and make recommendations. -The community must be part of the Joint investigation exercise (JIV), sign the report ensuing from the visit and be given a copy. -Shell should take all necessary steps to effect proper cleanup immediately, and pay adequate compensation to the affected households. |
| Do you consider this as a success? | Not Sure |
| Why? Explain briefly. | The Spill is yet to be cleaned, and compensation has not been paid to the affected people. |
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| 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 | Afoke Ohwojeheri |
| Last update | 08/04/2014 |