Africa’s largest economy Nigeria will require $12 billion to address the long-standing oil spills in southern Bayelsa state over a 12-year period, global newswire Reuters said, quoting a new report which specifically holds Shell and Eni accountable for the majority of the pollution.
Bayelsa, a major oil-producing state in the Niger Delta, has been plagued by pollution, conflicts, and corruption associated with the oil and gas industry.
Oil companies operating in Nigeria have faced legal battles regarding spills in the Niger Delta, often attributing them to pipeline sabotage, vandalism, and illegal refining.
The Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission conducted an investigation starting in 2019 to assess the impact of spills. The investigation utilized evidence from forensic scientists, blood samples from affected individuals, and company data. The commission’s findings revealed that toxic pollutants resulting from spills and gas flaring significantly exceeded safe limits in soil, water, air, and the blood of local residents.
A spokesperson for Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited said it was not privy to the final report and could not comment, the Reuters report said.
An Eni spokesperson said the oil spills were due to theft to feed illegal refineries as well as illegal exports and sabotage but the company undertook to remedy all spills.
Most of the gas produced from Eni’s Nigerian unit was converted into LNG and fed local power plants, the spokesperson said, adding that “Eni conducts its activities according to the sector’s international environmental best practices, without any distinction on a country basis.”
Toxins that cause burns, lung problems and risk of cancer were widespread while oil company-led clean-ups were often poorly executed and could further contaminate soil and groundwater, the commission’s report said.
