Tell Shell to Clean Up Its Act in Nigeria
Oil companies have one aim: to maximize profits. Everything else, including human life and the environment, seems to come way down the list of priorities, if it is even considered at all. Those that spend a fortune promoting their green credentials are guilty of environmental crimes too, and among these eco-criminals is Shell.
In Nigeria, Shell is behind a series of catastrophic accidents, ruining people's livelihoods and wrecking their environment. In fact, the Niger Delta needs the largest oil clean up in the world.
The latest "regrettable leak" happened on Wednesday the 22nd of December, when yet another devastating spill occurred, covering at least 350 square miles of ocean.
Local communities say Shell's decaying infrastructure is to blame for the oil spills. Shell is being reckless and not taking the most basic of safety precautions. A spill of 40,000 or more barrels of oil is not a blip, as the company appears to think; it is a catastrophe.
Tell Shell that enough is enough.
On Wednesday the 22nd of December, yet another huge spill occurred in the Niger Delta totalling around 40,000 barrels of oil. We the undersigned ask that you stop dismissing regular and serious oil accidents in Nigeria a "regrettable leaks," and start taking serious steps to prevent them happening again.
The Nigerian people do not need constant pollution to add to their difficulties. Oil spills on this scale devastate fishing communities as they lose their main or only source of income, not to mention ruining natural habitats.
Shell must take steps to radically upgrade safety measures to prevent such accidents happening in the future. Realistic clean up operations for the oil already spilt also must be introduced.
A company that is trying hard to sell itself on its green credentials must back up its words with actions, and this includes preventing oil spills. It doesn't matter that Nigeria doesn't receive much media attention; the people and the environment are suffering from the negligence.
We ask that Shell starts showing the world what corporate responsibility actually means. It is in a position to lead the way with green and sustainable business practices, but for this to happen Shell must not continue allowing environmental destruction on such a massive scale.
