Campaigns: Press for change: Tell Shell to obey the law

I write this post to encourage you, dear reader, to do likewise. Visit the site and write to Shell.
Here's my modded version of the email to Shell's honcho...
More than a year ago, the Nigerian Federal Hugh Court ordered Shell (Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, SPDC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to stop immediately gas flaring in the Iwherekan community, Delta state. In the same ruling, gas flaring was said to be a "gross violation" of the rights to life and dignity guaranteed under the Constitution of Nigeria. It also said that gas flaring laws were "unconstitutional, null and void."

Shell has still taken no action despite a PR blitz to give the impression that it would. I gather that Shell's appeal for a more time resulted in a ruling to cease flaring in Iwherekan by April 2007, and to present a detailed plan to the court showing how this is going to be achieved. So far Shell has not produced this plan of action and given no indications that it is prepared to end gas flaring within the required time.

While it may be the case that the Nigerian government bears much responsibility for the poor environmental practice and associated human rights abuses in the Niger Delta, this does not excuse Shell. In July 2006 Shell announced a 36% increase in its profits on the previous year while the practice of gas flaring costs Nigeria about $2.5 billion annually.

Shell could invest some of its huge profits to bring a speedy closure to gas flaring in the Niger Delta, or even pull out of the joint venture. Either way, in the light of the financial facts just mentioned, a shortfall in financial contributions from the Nigerian government is simply not a good enough excuse to carry on flaring gas.

I am concerned that Shell's behaviour in court is reflective of a more general attitude of indifference to the plight of the communities in the Niger Delta who continue to suffer so much as a result of gas flaring. I would be very grateful if you could respond to this letter by explaining how you intend to end gas flaring in Iwherekan by April 2007 as required by the Nigerian Federal High Court.


Friends of the Earth: Campaigns: Corporates: Press for change: Tell Shell to obey the law: Thank you for taking part in this action

Filed in: Shell, campaign, gas-flaring, Nigeria, FoE