Amidst Shell Plc’s proposed $1.3 billion sale of its onshore oil business in Nigeria to Renaissance Africa Energy, civil society groups, led by Amnesty International, are urging the government to intervene. The deal, aimed at fulfilling Shell’s long-standing goal of exiting operations in the Niger Delta, awaits approval from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
The coalition of 40 groups, including London-based Amnesty International, emphasized the need for robust human rights safeguards before allowing the transaction to proceed. They demand an assessment of environmental pollution surrounding the assets, a commitment to cleanup funds, and meaningful consultation with local communities.
This call comes amidst a backdrop of stalled oil deals in the Niger Delta, despite initial hopes that Tinubu’s election would expedite sectoral agreements. Companies like Exxon Mobil Corp., Eni SpA, and Equinor ASA are also awaiting regulatory clearance for asset sales in Nigeria.
The Renaissance consortium, composed of ND Western Limited, Aradel Holdings Plc, FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited, the Waltersmith Group, and the Petrolin Group, is set to acquire Shell’s assets pending government approval.
Timipre Abowei