A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), community groups, and individuals organized a peaceful rally in Port Harcourt to appeal to the state government to intervene and prevent the Federal Government from granting Shell and other International Oil Companies (IOCs) permission to divest until an audit is conducted on the environment, health, and livelihood, and steps are taken to remediate the fallout of the findings.
Led by the Social Development Integrated Centre – Social Action, the rally commenced from the UTC Junction and culminated at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The protesters carried placards bearing various inscriptions such as “No restoration, no remediation,” “Save the Niger Delta, restore our livelihoods,” and “Shell is going nowhere until they restore our original environment.”
Programme Manager of Social Action Nigeria, Dr. Prince Edegbuo, expressed the collective sentiment of the gathering, stating, “The legacy of environmental devastation and social injustice that Shell leaves behind is unacceptable. We cannot allow a transnational corporation to profit at the expense of our people and then absolve itself of the monumental pollution it has caused.”
The march underscored the severe environmental and health crises plaguing the Niger Delta as a result of decades of oil and gas operations.
Edegbuo said, “The Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission’s findings confirm our worst fears – our waters, soil, and air are saturated with toxins, making the Niger Delta one of the most polluted places on earth.”
Addressing the crowd at the Government House Gate, Comrade Michael Gberale, lamented the activities of Shell and IOCs in Ogoniland for 60 years, which have not only depleted the environment but also eroded the livelihoods of the people and resulted in the loss of many lives.
Similarly, Avadi Chimankpa from Rumuekpe highlighted the dire consequences of oil pollution in his community, emphasizing the need for accountability and a commitment to remediation before any discussion of divestment.
A women leader from Korokoro-Tai, Madam Zinabari Mgba, lamented the health impacts on the community, stressing that children are frequently sick, husbands are unable to fulfill their responsibilities, and crops yield poorly.
Protesters emphasized that the divestment threatens to exacerbate social injustices in the region, lacking transparency and failing to ensure community voices are heard or demands for justice and compensation are met.
In a fervent call to action, demonstrators demanded President Bola Tinubu’s government intervene, calling for an immediate halt to the divestment process until comprehensive reviews are conducted, ensuring Shell’s accountability for environmental restoration and community compensation.
They also urged enhanced regulatory oversight, meaningful community engagement, and a thorough assessment of the new operators’ capabilities.
The message from the Niger Delta was clear: the time for environmental justice and sustainable development is now.
Communities stand united in their call for action, vowing to continue their advocacy until their demands are met and the region sees the dawn of a new era of environmental restoration and social justice.
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