A coalition of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the National Civil Society Council (NCSCN), Tuesday, rejected the Shell’s divestment deal in the Niger Delta and asked the Federal Government pending when all matters regarding the oil major are addressed.
Should the company proceed in the execution of the divestment deal without satisfying the interest of Nigerians, the coalition threatened to embark on nationwide protests.
Recall that Shell, an international oil company, had reached an agreement to sell its Nigerian onshore subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), to Renaissance, a consortium of five companies made up of ND Western, Aradel Energy, First E&P, Waltersmith, and Petrolin.
However, the completion of the transaction is subject to approvals by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other conditions.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the Executive Director of NCSCN, Comrade Blessing Akinlosotu, condemned the move, stating that it served as an unclean criminal getaway for the multinational corporation, leaving behind a legacy of environmental devastation, atrocities, and unresolved liabilities.
According to him, numerous court cases by stakeholders, farmers, and host communities against Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) are being swept under the rug through these divestment deals.
He said: “As an organization, we consider this deal as an unclean criminal getaway by Shell from Nigeria, environmentally damaging Niger Delta further, leaving behind monument atrocious situations, liability, high remediation cost of polluted environment, and compensation fees,” he said.
