Hold Shell Company Accountable for Human Rights Violations in Niger-Delta, ERA/FoEN Urges United Nations

... As (ERA/FoEN) Marks 25th Years After Ken Saro-Wiwa was Murder alongside 8 Others

By The9jaTrend

The  Environmental   Rights   Action/Friends   of   the   Earth   Nigeria   (ERA/FoEN) has urged the United Nations to hold Shell Oil Company, Nigeria Government and other Multinational Companies Accountable for Human Rights Violations in the Niger-Delta region as  their exploitations of oil is increasing extensive pollution   of   the   air,   water,   sediment   and   soil   in   local communities, exposed humans and other life forms to severe risks thereby resulting infrequent deaths.

In a statement issued and signed by Dr Godwin Uyi Ojo, Executive Director, ERA/FoEN stated that in marking a quarter-century since the death of the Ogoni Nine, the  Niger-Delta environment still groans under  the severe weight  of  environmental  despoliation  and  poverty remains widespread with little or no change on the welfare and livelihoods of the people.

Dr. Uyi Ojo recall that in 2011, the United Nation Environment Programme documented the devastating long term impact of the oil industry in Nigeria’s Ogoniland, setting the urgent recommendations for   a  clean-up,   and   emergency   relief   measures   that   was   sidelined.   

He added that,  "the systematic failure of oil companies and the Nigerian government to clean up has left hundreds of thousands of Ogoni people facing serious health risks, struggling to access safe drinking water and unable to earn a decent living.

ERA/FoEN  Executive Director, also call on the United Nations to ensure access to justice and remedy that is currently a major  challenge  in developing  countries   in   their   attempt   to   bring   multinational companies to justice.

He emphasised, "Shell must account for its human rights violations in Ogoniland and the entire Niger-Delta and ensure proper clean up of the pollution in their areas of operations. 

"For the Nigerian state, the Hydrocarbon Remediation Project (HYPREP) slow pace of clean up is unacceptable and require improved capacity and restructuring to properly clean up Ogoniland. 

"Nigeria should key into the unprecedented momentum for leaving the fossil fuel age behind ushence the need to embrace decentralized energy democracy model that allows people driven off-grid and mini-grid solar systems for energy access for all.

"A post-petroleum economy devoid of environmental degradation and destruction of lives and property is expedient.  

"For the Ogonis, it is time for sober reflections. It is time for forgiveness, healing and unity among the Ogonis especially all the martyrs of the environmental justice struggle. Surely, the collective will of the people shall never be broken.

"The commemoration has once again provided the opportunity to highlight the ecological disaster and human rights violations that the entire Niger-Delta is still facing even after 25 years have passed since Ken Saro-Wiwa was executed, along with 8 other Ogoni leaders for standing up to Shell’s operations in Nigeria," he opined.