SHELL'S BOGUS SABOTAGE CLAIMS


By


OSAYANDE OMOKARO & ADAKA INENO MORRIS

INTRODUCTION


Oku-Aghoro is a riverine Ijaw community located in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The local people are predominantly fisher-folks, although some also engage in subsistence farming. Shell commenced crude oil exploitation in the community in 1965 and has six oil wells and a flow-station in the area. The community is grossly underdeveloped and lacks basic amenities such electricity, pipe borne water and health services.



OKU-AGHORO COMMUNITY GROANS UNDER MASSIVE OIL SPILL FROM SHELL'S FACILITY

On February 16, 2004, a massive oil spill occurred at Shell's Trans-Ramos pipeline located at Oku-Aghoro Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The said pipeline, which is used by Shell to transport crude oil from the area to its export terminal at Escravos, spewed over 1,500 barrels of crude oil into the Aghoro river and surrounding creeks, thus endangering aquatic life and disrupting fishing activities in the area.



Aghoro River, which is the only source of drinking water in the area, and the surrounding creeks in which the local people carry out their fishing activities were severely polluted by the spill. Fishing gadgets, such as nets, hooks and wooden canoes were also submerged by the thick sludge formed by the oil spill. The devastating oil spill also spread through rivers and creeks to neighbouring communities like Ogbotobo, Opukashi and Benesede.



During an assessment tour of the affected areas, it was discovered that  the faulty pipeline had been repaired. However, crude oil sludge and sheen were seen still floating on the Aghoro River and the surrounding creeks in the area. It was also observed, during the assessment tour, that the spill has seriously impacted the surrounding vegetation and mangrove trees, thus causing them to wither. Offensive odours emanating from the crude oil hung thickly in the air while the local people were seen still pulling out their fishing nets and canoes from the polluted creeks.



SHELL ATTRIBUTES SPILL TO SABOTAGE, RULES OUT COMPENSATION FOR COMMUNITY
PEOPLE

ERA's investigation at Oku-Aghoro Community reveals that as soon the spill was noticed on the 16th of February, 2004, the incident was promptly reported to Shell officials at their zonal office in Warri. However, community people informed ERA that it took Shell about three days to respond to the distress call sent to them.



Mr. Oweizide Orubu, a youth leader in the area, informed ERA that some Shell  officials who eventually came to the community on the 19th of February, 2004, to investigate the cause of the spill accused the local people of sabotage and vowed to make them pay for their crime. Mr. Orubu further explained that a "joint investigation report", which the people never  contributed to, was later written by Shell officials and circulated to the media.



In the joint investigation report, Shell alleged that the spill was caused  by sabotage and that the community people had accepted this position. Based on this fake and unilateral "joint investigation report", Shell was  said to have ruled out any form of compensation for the local people whose environment, fishing gadgets and sources of livelihoods have been negatively impacted by the spill.



Apparently dissatisfied with the sabotage claim by Shell, some community  people have already called on the presidency to set up an independent panel of enquiry to unravel the true cause of the spill. They suggest that some indigenous pipeline surveillance contractors should be in the team. These surveillance contractors, according to community folks, categorically hold that there is no evidence to support the claim that the pipelines were vandalized.



Mr. Etimodimene Amabenemo, a community leader in the area, described the  sabotage claim by Shell as sheer blackmail and an attempt by Shell to evade compensation claims. ERA's investigation in the community however reveals that, as a result of the strong opposition to the sabotage claim as well as the lack of evidence to support this claim, Shell has agreed to conduct another round of investigation to identify the true cause of the spill. ERA calls on Shell to involve the community people in this round of
investigation!



SHELL RESUMES OPERATIONS, REFUSES TO CLEAR SPILL

Further investigation by ERA Field Monitors reveals that three days after the spill, some Shell officials came to the community to repair their faulty facility. It was gathered from community people that the leaking portion of the said pipeline was clamped while some booms were deployed on the Aghoro River and the surrounding creeks, so as to contain the rapid spread of the crude oil.



Local people interviewed by ERA in the community explained that no clean up exercise was conducted by Shell in the affected areas. ERA's investigation in the affected areas corroborated this claim. Crude oil sheen and sludge were seen still floating on the Aghoro River and the surrounding creeks.



Although, Shell is yet to clear the crude oil spill from its facility, normal work has since resumed at its Aghoro flow-station and other oil installations in the area. This is clear a demonstration of Shell's insensitivity to the plight of its host community and their environment.



ERA RECOMMENDS THAT SHELL SHOULD



7        Stop accusing the local people of sabotage and involve them in the investigation process aimed at unravelling the actual cause of the spill

7        Immediately commence a proper clean-up exercise in the Aghoro River and the adjoining creeks and other affected areas.

7        Pay adequate compensation to community people whose environment, fishing gadgets and source of livelihoods have been destroyed by the spill.



WHAT YOU CAN DO



Write protest letter to Shell asking them to:



7        Commence the process of cleaning up the spill

7        Supply relief materials to the community to cushion the economic effects of the spill

7        Pay adequate compensation to the local people whose environment and means of livelihood have been destroyed by the spill.

7        Send copies of your letter to local and international media, environmental groups and your elected representatives.





SHELL'S ADDRESS

Managing Director

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC)

Freeman House

21/22 Marina, PMB 2418

Lagos, Nigeria

Tel:23412601600-19

Fax:23412636681

Email: info@spdc.shell.com and shellcorp-id@spdc.shell.com





March 2004