Differing Stories of Violence Put Nigerian Villagers and Oil Company at Odds

摘要

An oil spill has contaminated drinking water and polluted farmland in Rivers State, Nigeria, leaving the community and the oil company at odds. Further escalating the situation are accusations of gunfire aimed at protestors, which the oil company denies. According to Total Exploration and Production Nigeria (Total), due process was followed when the company was informed about a suspected pipeline oil leak near the Odiemerenyi community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State. A spokesperson for the company explained that on 18 August 2016, the company was notified by a pipeline surveillance contractor that there was a suspected leak of crude oil on line OML 58. On 20 August, Total met with community representatives to organize a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) as is standard protocol.