Since 1958 shell ahs actively been extracting oil and gas from Niger delta. The projects have big consequences for the environment. All over the world people start protesting. Shell remains silent. The shell company in Niger Delta has been criticised for the oil spills for many years. Oil spills are a common event in Nigeria and occur due to a number of causes, including: decay of pipelines and tankers (accounting for 50% of all spills).
The environmental Causes-
Vegetation in the Niger River Delta consists of extensive mangrove forests, brackish swamp forests, and rainforests. The large expanses of mangrove forests. Human impact from poor land management upstream coupled with the constant pollution of petroleum has caused five to ten percent of these mangrove forests to disappear. Petroleum has wiped out large areas of vegetation. When spills occur close to the drainage basin, the hydrologic force of both the river and tides force spilled petroleum to move up into areas of vegetation.
The Local Reaction-
The local are sick of this happening. The locals have started protesting. The locals suffer from pollution and some of them revolt. The Nigerian government is not impressed. It takes though measures. One of the locals is being sentenced to death. Worldwide, the debate erupts.
Shell’s response-
Shell is unable to defend itself. It focuses completely on its defense when being held responsible for environmental pollution. Because of what has happened over the past years shell has donated enormous amounts of money to the locals. This way they want to help the country develop itself.
