By Ameh Gabriel
Ilaje, Ondo State A coalition of community leaders, environmental groups, and civil society organisations has issued a strong call to action, demanding that Chevron Nigeria Limited immediately stop an ongoing oil spill and take full responsibility for the environmental damage it has caused in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The oil spill, which occurred on April 12, 2025, at Chevron’s Berthing Operational Platform (BOP) in shallow offshore waters, has continued to devastate the environment and endanger livelihoods across surrounding communities.
In a joint open letter released Monday, the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), local fishing cooperatives, grassroots environmental organisations, and community leaders, including Prince Taiwo Aiyedatiwa of Abereke, expressed outrage over what they described as “a recurring pattern of corporate negligence.”
“This egregious environmental disaster demands immediate action,” the letter stated. “Chevron Nigeria Limited must take full responsibility for the clean-up, restoration, and fair compensation for the ecological and socio-economic damage suffered by the Ilaje people.”
Communities in Crisis
The coalition reported widespread contamination of local waters, destruction of marine life, and significant disruption to fishing and farming the mainstay of the local economy. They warned that the ongoing pollution poses “a catastrophic threat to both the environment and public health,” and is exacerbating poverty, particularly among women and children who are heavily involved in the local fishing and agricultural sectors.
The groups also noted that Chevron’s latest spill reflects a disturbing legacy of “oil spills, gas flaring, and environmental degradation” in the Niger Delta, adding that the multinational has “repeatedly failed to uphold environmental and human rights standards.”
“Chevron’s repeated disregard for its host communities is not only irresponsible but also violates the people’s right to a clean, safe, and sustainable environment,” the statement said.
Four Key Demands
The groups outlined four urgent steps they expect Chevron Nigeria Limited to take:
- Immediate Containment – Halt the oil leak and prevent further damage to the environment.
- Comprehensive Clean-up – Deploy adequate resources to restore affected areas under community and civil society supervision.
- Impact Assessment and Relief – Conduct environmental and health assessments and provide urgent medical, food, and livelihood support to victims.
- Fair Compensation – Offer adequate compensation to all affected individuals and communities, with special consideration for women and vulnerable groups.
A Warning and a Stand for Justice
The letter concluded with a stern warning to Chevron, asserting that affected communities and their allies will not be silent in the face of what they describe as “profit-driven recklessness.”
“We will not stand by while our land, water, and way of life are destroyed. We demand that Chevron act immediately, take responsibility, and commit to justice and accountability for the Ilaje people.”
