The latest report by the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has exposed the devastating consequences of Transnational Oil Corporations (TNO-C) on frontline communities in select African countries.
The report exposes how corporations prioritize profits over people and the environment, leading to environmental degradation, loss of livelihoods, and human rights violations.
The report which was conducted by CAPPA and the Make Big Polluters Pay (MBPP) Africa Coalition, targeted Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana and the Gambia.
While speaking at the Public Unveiling of the 2023 Frontline Communities Report, Olamide Martins, Programme Manager at CAPPA, explained that the report detailed the vulnerability of the selected countries to oil exploration and its corresponding contributions to environmental distortion and climate crises.
Martins said, “MBPP partners confirmed varying degrees of infractions caused by TNOCs regarding the local environment, health and communal well-being, water, agriculture and food systems, local economy and social livelihood.”
For specific country findings, the report summarized that “In Nigeria, the Iwerekhan Community grapples with the devastating consequences of prolonged oil extraction, leading to the loss of identity and livelihoods, while residents demand accountability and commensurate compensation.
“In Kenya’s Mijikenda region, Vivo Energy (Shell)’s operations have inflicted harm on the environment and well-being of the populace, underscoring the need for community involvement in decision-making and sustainable practices. Along Ghana’s coastline, fishermen and residents near drilling sites have reported declining catches and marine diversity due to contamination, with allegations of Tullow Oil Company restricting fishing without compensation.
“The Gambia’s biodiversity suffers from oil spillage, leaving oyster businesses decimated, while in Uganda, TotalEnergies faces accusations of violating consultation requirements and inadequate housing consultations for affected individuals, as profit takes precedence over community welfare.”
The report thereafter recommended that African Governments must “adjust its policies and laws to enforce caution and punishment targeting the aftermaths of extractivism; Mandate oil corporations to be responsible for their infractions either deliberate or operational;
“Ensure that corporations adhere to the conduct and public issuance of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports; Empower affected frontline communities in their journey to adaptation and resilience; Rely on the shared concerns of frontline communities in the draft and implementation of its interventions;
“Immediately set up Climate Victims Support Fund to attend to impacts targeting livelihood and existence; and Institute timely response mechanism to environmental.”
The research was conducted by CAPPA (Nigeria), Vision for Alternative Development (VALD, Ghana), Household Disaster Resilience Project – The Gambia (HELP-Gambia), African Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO Uganda), DWB-Foundation (Kenya).