Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
A pro-environment group, the
Environmental Rights Action, on Wednesday backed the plan by the Friends
of the Earth Netherlands to sue Royal Dutch Shell if it failed to move
away from fossil fuel.
Environmental Rights Action, on Wednesday backed the plan by the Friends
of the Earth Netherlands to sue Royal Dutch Shell if it failed to move
away from fossil fuel.
The group said that it was worried about
the devastating impact of the activities of Shell and other oil
companies in different communities.
the devastating impact of the activities of Shell and other oil
companies in different communities.
This, it said, was in addition to the firm’s alleged contribution to climate change.
The Executive Director, ERA/FoEN, Mr.
Godwin Ojo, who disclosed this at a press conference in Benin, Edo
State, lamented that the Federal Government had yet to take any legal
action against the oil firms, which he said were responsible for over
10,000 spill sites in the Niger Delta region.
Godwin Ojo, who disclosed this at a press conference in Benin, Edo
State, lamented that the Federal Government had yet to take any legal
action against the oil firms, which he said were responsible for over
10,000 spill sites in the Niger Delta region.
“Aside the known Ogoni pollution, which
Shell is responsible for, it still continues to flare gas in
contravention of a High Court judgement in Nigeria in 2005 that made gas
flaring illegal in Iwherekan and other communities,” Ojo said.
Shell is responsible for, it still continues to flare gas in
contravention of a High Court judgement in Nigeria in 2005 that made gas
flaring illegal in Iwherekan and other communities,” Ojo said.
He, however, noted that the suit against
Shell would inspire the affected communities to fight for the
restoration of their environment allegedly ruined by the activities of
the multinational.
Shell would inspire the affected communities to fight for the
restoration of their environment allegedly ruined by the activities of
the multinational.
According to him, the planned legal
action by the Netherlands group was unique as it was not aimed at
seeking compensation, but halting oil prospecting and phasing out of
fossil fuel in order to shift focus to renewable energy.
action by the Netherlands group was unique as it was not aimed at
seeking compensation, but halting oil prospecting and phasing out of
fossil fuel in order to shift focus to renewable energy.
He stated, “By the day, it is becoming evident that Shell may be running from its mess but cannot evade justice.
“The plans by the Friends of the Earth
Netherlands to take Shell to court will further embolden impacted
communities in the Niger Delta to institute more cases to demand that
their lives seized and ruined by Shell’s activities are taken back.”
Netherlands to take Shell to court will further embolden impacted
communities in the Niger Delta to institute more cases to demand that
their lives seized and ruined by Shell’s activities are taken back.”
Ojo also called for the commencement of the Ogoni clean-up and a definite government action to end gas flaring in Nigeria.
“We anticipate that the Friends of the Earth Netherlands’ suit will open
the doors for impacted communities to demand that Shell and its
co-polluters in the fossil fuel industry are made accountable for their
environmental injustices across the globe. This is the way to go,” he
added.
the doors for impacted communities to demand that Shell and its
co-polluters in the fossil fuel industry are made accountable for their
environmental injustices across the globe. This is the way to go,” he
added.
……..Don’t forget to like The Drum Online Facebook page and always visit www.thedrumonline.net for your news updates.
Contact us on +2348037122191 & princesegun98@yahoo.com for your advert placements….. Thank you.
