Those buying Shell’s onshore assets in Niger Delta must also buy their liabilities— CEPEJ

The Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) has warned that the indigenous firms buying the onshore assets of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Nigeria should also be ready to buy up the liabilities and other baggage left behind by the international oil coy.

National Coordinator of CEPEJ, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, at a press conference on Tuesday morning in Warri, Delta State, alleged that SPDC was leaving the Niger Delta shores after causing environmental damage without recourse to remediation.

“We are in shock but not surprised by the recent sales of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Onshore Facilities Asset to indigenous oil firm led by Reinassance and four others.

“Its unfortunate that Nigeria is the only country on earth that will permit an International Oil Company to destroy her ecosystem, environment and divest their investment without any penalty.

“Today, SPDC has grossly destroyed the Niger Delta environment with impunity without recourse to proper remediation plans for the environment and ecological damages done as a result of their exploration activity.

“We would want to strongly appeal and advise the Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the new buyers i.e the indigenous oil firms to equally consider buying the onshore liabilities as well left by SPDC if they wish to operate peacefully in the region.

“It is imperative to mention that in a corporate buy out such as this and in accordance with best international practices as obtained in other climes there is an urgent need to address the issue of Compensation and, Accountability for the liabilities of Shell Onshore Assets in Niger Delta,” the Ibe-Serimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom asserted.

According to him, the Niger Delta has borne the brunt of environmental degradation resulting from Shell’s oil and gas exploration activities over the years, imploring President Tinubu to urgently address the following concerns:

“Compensation for environmental damage of affected communities by Shell’s operations in the Niger Delta region, provision for onshore liabilities such that the proposed sale of Shell onshore assets must include stringent provisions for addressing existing liabilities, which should guarantee that the new owners assume responsibility for mitigating and rectifying environmental damage and restoring the affected communities ecosystem.

“Community development initiatives such that the firm’s allocate a portion of the proceeds from the sale towards comprehensive community development initiatives which should focus on sustainable projects that enhance education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic opportunities for the affected communities.

“Transparency and accountability that will involve affected communities in the mechanisms in the entire process of the assets sale.”

CEPEJ commended President Tinubu and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) for engaging private pipeline surveillance security outfits in collaboration with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), especially in the war against oil theft.

The group, however, accused NNPCL and some other Nigerian security agencies in charge of curbing oil theft of encouraging  “criminality by the incessant destruction of stolen crude oil evidence, resultant oil spill carnage, thereby destroying aquatic and agrarian life style.’

It warned that “the continuous destruction of the ecosystem and aquatic lifestyle has left the youths with no option than to engage in criminal activities for survival since their means of livelihoods are being destroyed as a result of the incessant oil spill, of largely fishing and crops farming.”

Comrade Mulade charged President Tinubu “to take decisive positive action to rectify the long-standing injustices suffered by the Niger Delta Oil and Gas Producing communities.”