Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh
Israeli PM's office: PM informed Trump he would not attend Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on account of Jewish holidays.
Israeli media: Netanyahu makes last-minute decision to cancel trip to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Large crowds gather in Khan Younis to welcome the liberated Palestinian detainees, waving flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in celebration
Buses of released prisoners arrive in Ramallah
Israeli media: Netanyahu gifts Trump a "Golden Dove".
Israeli media: Netanyahu will take part in Sharm el-Sheikh Summit.

Shell demanded to atone for toxic legacy of pollution in Niger Delta

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 28 Feb 2024 11:27
4 Min Read

Shell is informed that it is obligated to secure safe decommissioning of abandoned oil infrastructure.

  • x
  • In this grab taken from video, workers stand by a container to collect oil spill waste from an oil spill at a Shell facility in Ogoniland, Nigeria, June 16, 2023. (AP)
    In this grab taken from a video, workers stand by a container to collect oil spill waste from an oil spill at a Shell facility in Ogoniland, Nigeria, on June 16, 2023. (AP)

Shell must not be permitted to exit Niger Delta until it addresses its responsibility for the lasting environmental damage caused by pollution and safely dismantles abandoned oil infrastructure, a report warned.

While Shell is gearing up to divest from the region, the report from the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (Somo) emphasized the need for the company to fulfill its obligations to rectify historical pollution in the region. It accused Shell of attempting to evade accountability, despite profiting significantly from the oil industry.

🚨 @Shell is selling out the Niger Delta!

Our new report shows how historical pollution remains a serious issue and how Shell is evading responsibility for its toxic mess by selling its problem oil assets.

Read more👇 https://t.co/nyc75cAxW0

— SOMO (@SOMO) February 28, 2024

The concerns about Shell's potential evasion of environmental responsibilities and obligations in the Niger Delta were raised by Labour MP Clive Lewis in the House of Commons, amid accusations against the British company.
 
According to the report, there is a significant lack of transparency concerning funding for decommissioning in the Niger Delta. While Nigeria has legal requirements for companies to allocate funds for decommissioning, the report highlights the absence of a mechanism to verify the amount of funding companies have or haven't set aside. Researchers from Somo were unable to find any confirmation that Shell has established a fund or funds to address the decommissioning of the oil mining leases it has divested. 

“Shell has pulled off the ultimate Houdini act,” said Audrey Gaughran, the executive director of Somo.

“As the oil industry enters its final phase, whether that’s in the next five years or 25, Shell has sold its toxic assets and will not be left holding them when the music stops," Gaughran stressed.

Related News

US arms sale to Nigeria raises human rights concerns: RS

Gaza humanitarian aid and the politics of narrative management

“Shell has profited from oil extraction for decades, and in doing so, has made the Niger delta one of the most oil-polluted places on Earth, leaving communities to face the dire consequences that will remain well beyond the lifetime of the industry,” she added.

Shell's withdrawal, having been the predominant operator with the largest presence in the region for decades, has far-reaching consequences for substantial areas of the Delta and numerous communities, according to the executive director of Somo.

“Under Nigerian law, Shell must clean up oil spills no matter the cause. It has failed to do so,” the report says.

Dive deeper

In the House of Commons this week, Lewis expressed concerns about Shell's plan to sell its Nigerian subsidiary, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). He sought information on the government's actions to ensure the British company would not leave behind an environmental disaster.

“This is one of the most significant business and human rights issues of our generation. Shell is responsible for some of the most brutal, violent, and repressive actions by a company, in this case against communities in the Niger Delta,” Lewis said.
 
"Shell’s exit from the Niger Delta could set a precedent for other British multinationals operating in the global south that may be seeking to evade responsibility for environmental destruction, leaving communities with little recourse to justice,” he concluded.

It is worth noting that Africa's greatest economy is heavily reliant on the Niger Delta's oil resources for revenue, but pollution from that production has deprived communities of access to clean water, harmed farming and fishing, and increased the risk of violence, as per climate activists.

Hundreds of farmers and fishermen, deprived of their means of living, are adamant about the restoration of the environment and subsequent compensation.

Read more: Shell's climate-friendly venture is just a facade: The Guardian

  • Nigeria
  • global south
  • Africa
  • Niger Delta
  • House of Commons
  • Pollution
  • Shell
  • United Kingdom

Most Read

Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
Ceasefire in Gaza takes effect amid conflicting signals and bombings

Gaza ceasefire takes effect; 'Israel' resumes bombing, timing disputed

  • Politics
  • 9 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Freed Palestinian prisoners carry rifles as they arrive in the Gaza Strip following their release from Israeli jails, outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, October 13, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian resistance remains steadfast, victorious Larijani says

Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Laffan inspecting the command structure of the 10th Infantry Brigade in Kfarskhna-Zgharta on October 13, 2025. (Lebanonese Army)
Politics

Lebanese Army chief: Israeli aggression threatens Lebanon's security

Hamas fighters escort buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners arriving in the Gaza Strip after their release from Israeli jails, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, October 13, 2025 (AP)
Politics

154 Palestinian prisoners exiled to Egypt under exchange deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives before US President Donald Trump addresses the Knesset, Israel's parliament, Monday, October 13, 2025 in Occupied Al-Quds. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Politics

Netanyahu withdraws from Sharm el-Sheikh summit amid regional pushback

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS