Women in Niger Delta Demand Halt to Oil Asset Sales Without Environmental Cleanup

Women’s groups from across the Niger Delta have raised their voices against the planned divestment of oil assets by Shell, Agip, and other companies, demanding a halt to the sales until environmental damage caused by their operations is addressed.

This was made known in a statement made available to FTN by The Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, along with allied organizations.

The group expressed outrage at the lack of consultation with communities and the companies’ attempt to “evade responsibility” for decades of environmental destruction.

The women highlighted the disproportionate impact of oil exploration on their lives and livelihoods, saying environmental degradation caused by oil spills and gas flaring has led to declining crop yields, polluted water sources, and health problems.

It read: “As affected women in the Niger Delta, we are deeply concerned about the swift nature of these divestment plans, as the government has not provided guidelines to ensure the resolution of pollution issues before SPDC, AGIP, and Total Energies depart. The corporations involved have failed to establish women development funds to support those who have borne the consequences of their oil extraction activities.

“In the Niger Delta, women bear the brunt of oil exploitation, facing deprivations due to environmental degradation. They play vital roles in securing the family’s subsistence income through agricultural activities, processing farm produce, and engaging in trade. The ecological degradation caused by oil extraction forces women to navigate polluted swamps for their economic activities, leading to a decline in crop yields and increased poverty.

“We, the women, are in the dark regarding the reputations of the new companies acquiring the assets of Shell, AGIP, and Exxon Mobil. We implore the government, whom we hold in high esteem, not to approve the divestment plans until polluted farmlands are cleaned up and restored by these companies. Gas flares persist in Ebocha, Ibeno, Umuechem, and other areas, with communities like Otuabagi still grappling with the impacts of oil extraction. Farming, fishing, and hunting have been severely affected, leading to health problems among women exposed to hydrocarbons.

“This divestment is not in the interest of the community people, and we condemn the attempt by International Oil Corporations to shirk responsibility under the guise of selling assets. We call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ensure NO DIVESTMENT WITHOUT ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION!

The government must mandate companies divesting their oil assets to commit to cleaning all polluted sites in the Niger Delta and restoring lost livelihood opportunities. We vehemently reject IRRESPONSIBLE DIVESTMENT and demand that the Rivers State Governor obtains a court injunction to halt the sale of any assets related to this matter. We are saying no to IRRESPONSIBLE DIVESTMENT!”