20 March 2009

PRESS RELEASE

Note: The mangrove belt of Bodo Creek is better remembered!  SPDC persistent oil spill (28 August, 2008 - November 7, 2008) at Bodo Creek caused extensive mortality of mangroves and their associated fauna, so much so that there seems to be scarcely any visible healthy mangrove stand within the creek basin. If adequate ecosystem restoration scheme is not put in place, it is safe to conclude that in the next 50 years, recovery will be a mirage!

Deepening the degradation of Bodo Creek:  SPDC awards clean-up and remediation contracts to quacks and pseudo-companies.

The Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) condemns in totality the ongoing process by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of awarding clean-up and remediation exercises for the heavily oil polluted Bodo Creek to quacks, most of whom do not have a functional wheelbarrow.

CEHRD insists that the clean-up, remediation and restoration of the creek basin is paramount and should be undertaken by internationally reputable organization(s) with a history of handling such skilful and delicate task. Moreso, given the sensitivity of Bodo Creek, its complexity and dynamic ecology, the engagement of quack, unqualified and inexperienced contracting firms being perfected by SPDC is the height of corporate irresponsibility, and will only compound the destruction of the creek.

CEHRD had earlier decried the cut-corner attitude of SPDC and other transnational oil corporations operating in the Niger Delta for awarding highly technical jobs of clean -up and remediation to quack and briefcase companies under the cover of local content patronage. "In terrestrial environment, the contractors simply transport topsoil from elsewhere to mask contaminated spill site(s). While in the water terrain, they (contractors) just ride in boats, sprinkling detergents (which are themselves pollutants) along their track of leisurely cruises, and ultimately smile to their banks having been paid for jobs not-well-done!

You would recall that SPDC 28" Bomu-Bonny Trans-Niger pipeline traversing Bodo Creek spilled oil into the creek basin from August 28, 2008 to November 7, 2008, when the leaked pipeline was clamped. On the latter date too, a joint inspection team led by SPDC confirmed the outset position of CEHRD that the spillage was caused by weld defect (natural corrosion) on the aged pipeline. Since then, SPDC had not open formal channel of consultation with the Bodo community and relevant government agencies on how to alleviate the heightening food insecurity engendered by the spillage, pay adequate compensation to the people of Bodo and to the environment by way of ecosystem restoration.  Even a stakeholder meeting called by the Rivers State Ministry of Environment on January 27, 2008, for discussion on issues relating to the above spill was ignored by SPDC.  On the contrarily, SPDC in total defiance of due process and transparent consultation is going ahead to award purported 'clean up' contracts to some quack contractors parading the landscape.

CEHRD therefore calls for openness and transparent engagement of host communities by oil corporations operating in the delta.  The Rivers State Ministry of Environment, Federal Ministry of Environment, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), National Environmental Regulation and Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the newly created Ministry of Niger Delta should urgently rise to their statutory responsibilities and ensure that due process is followed in the cleaning and remediation of Bodo Creek, which should be carried out by qualified firm(s) in line with international standards and best practice. 

CEHRD is also calling on other rights sensitive individuals and groups to join the crusade to ensuring that the rights to food security and healthy environment and livelihood structures of the Bodo people violated and stripped by the spillage are restored.

Submitted by: Patrick Naagbanton
Coordinator, Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD)