Twenty years after a significant environmental disaster, affected communities in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State are renewing their urgent call for Chevron Nigeria Limited to address the devastating oil spill that occurred on April 12, 2005.
This long-standing issue, stemming from Chevron’s Berthing Operational Platform (BOP) in shallow waters offshore Ilaje LGA, continues to inflict severe ecological and socio-economic damage, prompting a renewed outcry from local organisations and residents.
According to a statement, a coalition of organisations, including Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) and Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FOEN), alongside representatives from affected communities such as Abereke, collectively condemned Chevron’s persistent environmental negligence.
They demanded immediate and comprehensive action from the oil giant, emphasising that the spill’s impact extends far beyond environmental degradation, deepening existing gender inequalities and increasing the vulnerability of women and children crucial to local economies.
"For decades, Chevron’s operations have left behind a trail of oil spills, gas flaring, and ecosystem degradation.
“Despite the countless outcries, the company has consistently failed to uphold environmental and human rights standards in its host communities, suffering the devastating impacts of its operations,” the statement reads.
It would be recalled that the 2005 spill, described as a “recurring occurrence,” has had catastrophic long-term consequences on the environment, livelihoods, and health of the Ilaje people.
It was gathered that local waters remain polluted, once-thriving forests and marine life are destroyed, and fishing and farming communities, traditionally the backbone of the local economy, now struggle for survival.
The coalition warned that the situation will only worsen without prompt and effective intervention from Chevron.
The devastating effects, according to the coalition, are particularly acute for women, whose economic roles in fishing, family farms, and household sustenance have been severely truncated, leading to significant loss of livelihoods and increased social marginalisation.
The organisations and community representatives asked Chevron to take all necessary measures to halt the oil leak and prevent further environmental damage, deploy adequate resources and equipment for a comprehensive clean-up, and restore the affected environment to its pre-spill state.
They also asked Chevron that community representatives and civil society must be involved in oversight to ensure transparency and effectiveness, adding that Chevron must conduct a comprehensive assessment of the environmental and health impacts, providing urgent medical support, food aid, and livelihood restoration programs for impacted communities.
Besides, the coalition asked for fair and adequate compensation to be provided to all affected individuals, including women, for loss of livelihoods, property, and other damages resulting from the spill.
Ogunlade Olamide Martins of CAPPA and Rita Ikponmwosa Uwaka of ERA/FOEN, serving as key contacts for the initiative, stressed the unwavering resolve of the communities.
"We won't stand by as our environment and livelihoods are ravaged by reckless, profit-driven actions.
“We demand that CHEVRON Nigeria Limited prioritise the well-being of Ilaje communities, take immediate action to address this crisis, and uphold its corporate responsibility to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all,” they stated.
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