Clean Up, Not Cover Up

The cleaning up of oil spills is a major area of concern for the local communities. They highlighted the fact that basic standards are again not met and many describe the clean up operations as 'cover-ups not clean-ups'. The problem here is often a delay in the time for the oil companies to react. When you can visibly see your livelihood being submerged in a black gold that does not benefit you at all and it takes weeks if not months for the oil companies to react in order to stop the spill, it is only natural for some anger to be directed at the oil major who you perceive is responsible for destroying your meagre means of existence. The claim that locals are involved in sabotaging pipes on their own land is strongly rebuked: 'Why would we pollute our only source of fresh drinking water when we have nothing to gain'.

Most sabotages are alleged to be carried out by 'foreign/expert' Nigerians with links to either internationally controlled oil bunkering cartels or Nigerian contractors. It is not questioned that a few selfish individuals might get involved, but to punish a whole community is deemed unfair and is an escalator of the conflict dynamic that exists in the Niger Delta. An 'act first, ask questions later' policy to oil spills would go a long way to recreate the much needed social licence to efficiently operate in the Niger Delta.

The widely assumed decades of environmental negligence and resultant devastation caused by gas flaring is soon to be tried in the Nigerian courts. Environmental Rights Action in conjunction with Friends of the Earth international is taking 5 major oil companies to court on behalf of communities in River, Delta and Bayelsa states. This action will set a firm precedent for similar cases in the future and it is paramount that the oil majors live up to their responsibilities and don't attempt to delay this process.

It is clear that the perceived environmental devastation caused by oil spills and gas flaring is having a very negative effect on the lives of the communities in the Niger Delta. The ambiguities in perceptions and unproven accusations that escalate the conflict dynamic need to end. Therefore, an immediate environment and health impact assessment should be independently funded and supported by all stakeholders. This would help to set a legal benchmark for the environmental and health impacts the oil majors have had on the population of the Niger Delta and would represent to the local communities that their plight has no longer been forgotten.