Nigeria considers restarting oil production in polluted delta region
The Nigerian government is negotiating with local communities to resume oil production in the Niger Delta after Shell sold its onshore operations, raising concerns about pollution and environmental responsibility.
Taiwo Adebayo reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Shell sold its onshore oil business in Nigeria for $2.4 billion, ending nearly a century of operations in the Niger Delta, where pollution and human rights concerns sparked protests.
- The government is considering restarting oil production in Ogoniland, where Shell halted operations in 1993 due to violent protests.
- Activists demand more transparency and environmental accountability before oil production resumes, as pollution remains a major issue.
Key quote:
“The broad consensus in Ogoni is in favor of restarting production.”
— Ledum Mitee, environmental activist
Why this matters:
Oil production has long fueled Nigeria’s economy but devastated local communities with pollution and violence. The contamination isn’t just an ecological crisis — it’s a public health emergency. Oil slicks in rivers have cut off access to clean drinking water, while exposure to toxins has been linked to respiratory diseases, cancer and birth defects. In some villages, crops won't to grow in soil tainted by crude, forcing families to abandon their land.
Related: Shell to divest Nigerian onshore oil operations amid environmental concerns
