We, the undersigned organisations, representing the affected communities of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria, are compelled to bring attention to the recent oil spill on CHEVRON Nigeria Limited’s Berthing Operational Platform (BOP) in shallow water offshore in Ilaje LGA. This egregious environmental disaster demands immediate action, and we call on CHEVRON Nigeria Limited to take full responsibility for the cleanup, restoration, and compensation for the devastation caused to our ecosystem.
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.
Chevron’s recent oil spill has not only caused ecological damage but has also deepened existing gender inequalities, increasing the economic vulnerability and social marginalization of women and children who play a key role in local fishing economies, family farms, and household sustenance.
The spill, which has become a recurring occurrence, is beyond local control and continues to have catastrophic impacts on our environment, livelihoods, and health. The local waters are polluted, forests and marine life are destroyed, and the once-flourishing fishing and farming communities now struggle to survive. The long-term consequences of this spill will be devastating if not addressed promptly and effectively. The affected communities are already experiencing severe hardship, and the situation will only worsen if CHEVRON Nigeria Limited fails to act swiftly.
Chevron must stop this pattern of environmental negligence and corporate irresponsibility rife with human rights violations. We stand in solidarity with the people of Ilaje and strongly condemn the violation of their right to a clean, safe, and sustainable environment.
It is on this premise that we demand that CHEVRON Nigeria Limited do the following in the interest of social justice:
- Immediately stop the oil leak and contain the spill: CHEVRON should take all necessary measures to halt the oil leak and prevent further environmental damage.
- Conduct a thorough clean-up of the affected area: CHEVRON should deploy adequate resources and equipment to clean up the spill and restore the affected environment to its pre-spill state, with community representatives and civil society involved in oversight.
- Assess and mitigate the environmental and health impacts of the spill: CHEVRON must conduct a comprehensive assessment of the environmental and health impacts of the spill and take necessary measures to mitigate them, with the provision of urgent medical support, food aid, and livelihood restoration programs for impacted communities.
- Provide timely and adequate compensation to all affected communities for loss of livelihoods and property: CHEVRON must provide fair and adequate compensation to affected individuals, including women whose economic roles have been truncated, leading to loss of livelihoods, property, and other damages resulting from the spill.
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.
Signed:
Undersigned organisations and community representatives]
- Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)
- Environmental Rights Actions/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FOEN)
Affected Communities:
- Abereke Communities- Prince Taiwo Aiyedatiwa (General Secretary)
- Fishing communities, cooperative societies and individual person in Ilaje Local Government, Ondo State.
- Local Environmental Groups
