Community leaders in Ilaje, Ondo State, in collaboration with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA and Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, ERA/FoEN, have urged Chevron Nigeria Limited to immediately stop an ongoing oil leak and begin clean-up and restoration efforts in the affected area.
The spill, which occurred on April 12, 2025, at Chevron’s Berthing Operational Platform (BOP) offshore Ilaje, has reportedly caused widespread environmental damage, threatening local livelihoods and biodiversity.
In a joint open letter issued on Monday, the groups condemned Chevron’s response, describing it as slow and inadequate. They raised concerns about escalating water pollution, marine destruction, and the worsening economic conditions of fishing and farming communities already grappling with hardship.
“This egregious environmental disaster demands immediate action,” the statement read. “We call on Chevron to take full responsibility for the devastation caused to our ecosystem.”
The letter, endorsed by leaders from affected communities, civil society groups, and grassroots organisations, accused Chevron of a pattern of environmental negligence and failure to uphold the rights of its host communities in the Niger Delta. They said the spill has intensified the vulnerability of women and children who play vital roles in the region’s fishing and agricultural economies.
The groups warned that unless urgent intervention is taken, the long-term effects of the spill would be catastrophic. They stressed that local authorities lack the capacity to manage the crisis alone and called on Chevron to live up to its environmental obligations.
“We will not stand by as our environment and livelihoods are ravaged by reckless, profit-driven actions,” they stated. “Chevron must prioritise the well-being of Ilaje communities and take immediate steps to address the crisis.”