Environmental Degradation: House of Reps Directs Shell to Relocate Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community

Nigeria’s House of Representatives has ordered energy giant, Shell to relocate Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State from its present location to a more environmentally viable and conducive location.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, Michael Etiaba gave this directive on Thursday, October 9, 2024 during the sitting of the Committee in Abuja.

Representatives of Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community led by its Head, David Jumbo, and Chairman, George Jumbo, and the community’s consultant, Mangrove Forest Conservation Society of Nigeria led by Dr Akie Hart, as well as representatives of Shell Nigeria and Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG).

Both companies are being accused by the community of degrading their environment and rendering their natural and historical habitation inhabitable through their activities.

The situation forced the community to seek the intervention of the House of Representatives via a petition on its behalf by the Mangrove Forest Conservation Society of Nigeria demanding to be relocated from the current location.  

After hearing the submissions of the community and that of Shell and NLNG, the House Committee on Public Petitions ordered an on-the-spot assessment visit to the community on Saturday, September 28, 2024, wherein a team led by the Deputy Clerk of the Committee, Enobong Amos visited the community.

The team witnessed first-hand the distressing situation the community was subjected to, viz erosion of its shoreline by mighty waves resulting from unfriendly marine traffic, and pollution of its waters and environment by effluxions allegedly from Shell Nigeria’s Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal (BOGT) adjacent to the community.

Etiaba gave the directive after consideration of the team’s report on the on-the-spot assessment and the persistent inability of both companies to disprove the community’s petition and allegations against them.  

He said that the Committee’s decision was based on the outcome of the report of the on-the-spot assessment visit, stating that the Committee through the team it sent saw things for itself, pointing out that it will be difficult to move Shell’s Export Terminal since it is a national asset.

He asserted, however, that since the people of Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community are willing to make the sacrifice to move, which was confirmed on ground when the team came, the Committee has, therefore, decided that Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) should relocate the community, especially, given that SPDC did not have provide any viable defence despite several opportunities it was accorded.

Reacting to the decision of the Committee, Chairman of Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community, George Jumbo praised the tenacity, honesty and passion of the Chairman and his members to protecting the wellbeing of Nigerians, especially, the people of Park Akatikpo Community.

He stated that eventually, through the intervention of the Committee, respite have come to his people, who, according to him, have been subjected to untold suffering due to the activities of Shell and NLNG, noting that the Committee has demonstrated that “the National Assembly has the back of Nigerians at all times”.

Also reacting, Chairman of the Mangrove Forest Conservation Society of Nigeria, Dr. Akie Hart told Kristina Reports that the National Assembly, which he described as “the people’s parliament”, has again reinforced hope in Nigerians by its decision on the Park Akatikpo Community issue.

Though he regretted the arduous process it takes to compel international oil and gas companies in Nigeria to subject themselves to environmental accountability, he was, nonetheless, excited that “the legislative arm of government was living up to the task of ensuring no IOC gets away with impunity in the country”.