By HeapNews
A leading civil society group, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre, has strongly urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to ensure that Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) fulfills its environmental obligations before finalizing the sale of its onshore assets in the Niger Delta.
This follows reports that Shell’s $2.4 billion divestment to Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings has been approved, despite ongoing legal battles, community grievances, and environmental damages worth over N500 billion.
“Shell Must Not Walk Away Without Accountability”
In a statement signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the group condemned the approval of the divestment without Shell first addressing decades of environmental degradation, legal liabilities, and social injustices in the Niger Delta.
“This blatant disregard for judicial authority not only undermines Nigeria’s legal system but also sets a dangerous precedent where multinational corporations can evade responsibility with impunity,” Suraju stated.
He noted that the divestment was reportedly concluded despite a court-ordered injunction barring the sale, describing it as a violation of due process.
Communities Left Behind in Environmental Ruin
HEDA criticized the lack of proper consultation with impacted communities, calling the deal another act of marginalization against local populations whose lives and livelihoods have been devastated by oil pollution.
“Shell has a long history of environmental infractions in the Niger Delta, leaving communities to suffer the consequences of oil spills, gas flaring, and ecosystem destruction,” the statement read.
“These damages have led to loss of livelihoods, severe health risks, and the destruction of aquatic and agricultural resources. It is, therefore, unacceptable for Shell to divest its assets without first remediating the affected areas.”
The organization warned that the burden of cleanup and legal liabilities must not be transferred to the incoming Nigerian operators, who may lack the technical and financial capacity to address the crisis.
Call for Federal Government and Regulatory Action
HEDA aligned itself with demands from host communities, environmental groups, and civil society organizations, urging the Federal Government to prioritize justice over profit by ensuring Shell commits to a comprehensive and independently monitored cleanup process before exiting the onshore oil sector.
“The Federal Government must ensure that Shell and its partners do not leave behind an environmental catastrophe,” Suraju said.
The group also called on the NUPRC to uphold its regulatory integrity and resist any external pressure that could undermine transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector.
“The Commission must act in the best interest of the Nigerian people, rather than succumb to corporate or political interests,” Suraju added.
“The People of the Niger Delta Deserve Justice”
HEDA emphasized that the people of the Niger Delta deserve justice, clean water, and a restored environment.
“The communities affected by Shell’s operations cannot be abandoned. They have suffered enough,” the statement concluded.
The organization pledged to explore all legal and advocacy channels to ensure Shell fulfils its responsibilities before exiting the onshore oil industry.