Coalition of Civil Society
Organisations (CSOs) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately suspend
Shell’s divestment until there is a thorough review that addresses the
environmental and social legacies of Shell’s operations in the Niger Delta.
The Executive Director, Civil
Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani made the
demand during a news conference on Monday in Abuja.
Rafsanjani noted that the
proposed divestment of Shell from the Shell Petroleum Development Company of
Nigeria Limited (SPDC) in the Niger Delta, is of a profound urgency and
significance.
According to him, this
divestment, which involves the transfer of Shell’s stakes to the Renaissance
consortium, presents us with a critical moment that could shape the future of
the Niger Delta and its people for generations to come.
He said: “The Niger Delta, as
many of you are aware, has borne the brunt of environmental degradation and
social injustices for decades, a direct consequence of the oil exploration and
production activities in the region. The planned divestment by Shell, without a
comprehensive resolution of these long-standing issues, poses an unacceptable
risk to the region’s ecological integrity and the well-being of its communities.
“In response to this critical
situation, our coalition, representing a broad spectrum of civil society
organizations and community leaders, has submitted a joint petition to
President Bola Tinubu. This petition, endorsed by over a thousand signatories,
calls for an immediate halt to Shell’s divestment plans until a transparent,
inclusive, and just review process is undertaken.
“Our demands are clear and
grounded in the principles of justice, sustainability, and community welfare:
Immediate Suspension of the Divestment Process: We insist on pausing Shell’s
divestment until there is a thorough review that addresses the environmental
and social legacies of Shell’s operations in the Niger Delta.
“Accountability and Transparency:
Shell must be held accountable for its historical environmental and social
impacts in the region. We demand a clear and transparent process that ensures
accountability and remediation before any transfer of ownership.
“Strengthened Regulatory
Framework: We call upon the Nigerian government to enforce robust regulatory
measures to protect the rights and interests of the Niger Delta communities
during and after this divestment process.
“Community-Centric Approach: The
voices and concerns of the impacted communities must be at the forefront of the
divestment process. We advocate for fair compensation, meaningful engagement,
and concrete commitments to remediation.
“Environmental Restoration Fund:
We propose the establishment of a fund, contributed to by Shell, dedicated to
the environmental restoration and sustainable development of the Niger Delta,
managed transparently and with active community involvement.”
He pointed out that there is need
for the adoption of comprehensive principles to guide the divestment process.
“National Principles for
Responsible Divestment: We urge the adoption of comprehensive principles to
guide the divestment process, ensuring it adheres to the highest standards of
transparency, inclusivity, and accountability.
“Our gathering here today is not
merely a formality; it is a resolute call to action. The stakes are high, and
the implications of Shell’s divestment extend far beyond the immediate
transaction. It is about securing a sustainable, just, and equitable future for
the Niger Delta—a future where the environment is restored, communities are
compensated, and social injustices are addressed.
“We stand united in our
commitment to the Niger Delta, and we will continue our advocacy until our
demands are met and the region witnesses the dawn of a new era of environmental
restoration and social justice,” he said.
The coalition of civil society
leaders, brought together by the concerted efforts of Social Action Nigeria,
CISLAC, the Africa Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL),
Stakeholder Democracy Network, Civil Rights Council (CRC), Praxis Academy,
Transparency International Nigeria, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), policy
alert and several other Nigerian and international organisations.
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