Ikata is a relatively big rural settlement in the Ekpeye ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta. Its administratively located in the Ahoda East Local Government Area of Rivers State. Subsistence farming and fishing are the major occupation of the people. Shell Petroleum Development Company started its oil activities in the community in 1964. On June 28th, 2002, SPDCs pipeline located at an area in the community called Akbor ruptured and spewed large quantity of crude oil into the various lakes, rivers and farmlands in the area. The Spill has caused deplorable environmental destruction and exposed people to real threat of hunger, disease and untold hardship. Shell has not shown any genuine intention to either stop the spill or clean the impacted area, despite its consequences on the rural economy, ecology and people. |
| Name of conflict: | Shell refuses to clean up spill at Ikata community, Nigeria |
| Country: | Nigeria |
| State or province: | Rivers State |
| Location of conflict: | Ikata Community, Ahoada 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 | |
| Type of population | Rural |
| Start of the conflict: | 28/06/2002 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) from Netherlands Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from Nigeria |
| Relevant government actors: | Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Environmental Rights Action |
| Intensity | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
| Reaction stage | Unknown |
| Groups mobilizing: | Farmers Indigenous groups or traditional communities Neighbours/citizens/communities Fisher people |
| Forms of mobilization: | Development of a network/collective action Official complaint letters and petitions |
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil contamination, Oil spills, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality Potential: Food insecurity (crop damage) |
| Health Impacts | Visible: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…) Potential: Malnutrition, Mental problems including stress, depression and suicide, Occupational disease and accidents, Infectious diseases, Deaths |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Displacement, Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Loss of landscape/sense of place Potential: Increase in Corruption/Co-optation of different actors, Increase in violence and crime, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession |
| Project Status | Unknown |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Under negotiation |
| Proposal and development of alternatives: | -SPDC should take immediate steps to halt the spill, clean the mess, and overhaul its aged facility to forestall and further recurrence -Shell should send relief materials and pay compensation to the affected people. -The Company should demonstrate corporate responsibility and good citizenship accept their liability and avoid corporate deceit and arrogance in the Niger Delta. |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | No |
| Briefly explain: | The Spill has caused deplorable environmental destruction and exposed people to real threat of hunger, disease and untold hardship. Shell has not shown any genuine intention to either stop the spill or clean the impacted area, despite its consequences on the rural economy, ecology and people. |
| References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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| Contributor: | Nnimmo Bassey |
| Last update | 18/08/2019 |
| Conflict ID: | 569 |