The Niger Delta’s Silent Cry: A Struggle for Environmental Justice
By Victor Ekemezie Niger Delta Oil Spillage Photo Source: Pius Utomi Ekpei, BBC News Pidgin The Niger Delta’s Silent Cry In the heart of Nigeria’s Niger Delta , the once-thriving village of Ogale now stands as a testament to environmental devastation. Decades of unchecked oil spills have transformed lush farmlands into contaminated wastelands and pristine rivers into toxic streams. The air carries the heavy scent of crude oil , and the vibrant ecosystem that once sustained the community has been decimated. The root of this catastrophe lies in the operations of major oil companies, particularly Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) . For years, oil extraction activities have led to numerous spills , with Shell often attributing these incidents to sabotage and oil theft. However, investigations and community testimonies suggest that aging infrastructure and inadequate maintenance play significant roles in the oil spillage. In 2011, the United Nations Envi...