A coalition of women organisations in the Niger Delta region has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to approve the divestment plans of Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, AGIP, and Exxon Mobil until polluted farmlands are cleaned up and restored by the companies.
DAILY POST reports that the coalition made the call at the weekend in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City.
The statement was signed by Emem Okon of the Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre; Glory Alexander Alauchi of the Women Development Initiative, Ibeno; Patience Osaroejiji of Mba Okase Women, Eleme; and Enighe Elo of the Abua Women Association.
Other signatories include Lezina Patrick of the Coalition of Ogoni Women Development Initiative; George Bielaye; Pius Dukor Pius of the Dukor Foundation; and Anthony Aalo of Kallop Environmental Centre.
The Niger Delta women who kicked against the divestment plan of the multinational oil companies for failing to resolve the environmental damages in the region noted that they are the most affected by oil exploration in the region.
They also argued that the company had not engaged with the host communities or addressed the damages caused by their operations.
The coalition added that the women were particularly concerned about the lack of guidelines for resolving pollution issues before the divestments take place.
According to them, women in the Niger Delta bear the brunt of oil exploitation, especially deprivation 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.
“This divestment was not in the interest of the community, and we condemned the attempt by international oil corporations to shirk responsibility under the guise of selling assets,” the group said.
The group alleged that gas flaring persists in Ebocha, Ibeno, Umuechem, and other areas, with communities like Otuabagi still grappling with the impacts of oil extraction.
The women who called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure no divestment without ecosystem restoration, however, regretted that farming, fishing, and hunting had been severely affected, leading to health problems among women exposed to hydrocarbons.
They also called on the President of Nigeria to ensure that divestment was only allowed after ecosystem restoration measures were taken.
“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.
“This divestment was not in the best interest of the local communities, and we condemn the attempt by international oil corporations to evade responsibility through asset sales,” they stated.
They also criticise the corporations for failing to establish women’s development funds to support those who have suffered the consequences of their activities.
Niger Delta women urge Tinubu not to approve divestment of Shell, AGIP, ExxonMobil
