"Amnesty ‘uncovers’ serious negligence by Shell, Eni in Niger Delta oil spills", 16 March 2018

Amnesty International (AI) has accused Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Italian oil giant Eni of “serious negligence” in cases of oil spills in the Niger Delta region. In its latest research, AI said the “irresponsible approach” of the two companies to oil spills in the Niger Delta is worsening the environmental crisis and the plight of those affected. Mark Dummett, business and human rights researcher at AI, said while the two companies claim they are “doing everything they can to prevent oil spill,” it was found that “they often ignore reports of oil spills for months on end”.When contacted for response, Shell described AI’s claims as false and “without merit”. The oil company accused the organisation of failing to recognise that security – a sole prerogative of government – “remains a major concern” in its working environment...In the response sent to AI and signed by Massimo Insulla, vice-chairman of Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited, its Nigerian subsidiary, Eni said regardless of the cause of oil spill, it is usually responsible for limiting its harm “by acting promptly to prevent the contamination, and then cleansing up of all pollution”.