UK-based climate justice activist Mikaela Loach was removed from Shell’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday after she slammed the oil and gas giant over alleged oil spills and gas flaring in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region.
Loach, who has been a vocal critic of Shell’s operations in the Niger Delta, accused the company of poisoning millions of people in the region, leading to a life expectancy of just 41 years due to the company’s extraction activities.
In a post on her social media account, Loach said, “I got removed from Shell’s AGM today for simply telling their shareholders the truth about Shell’s destruction of the health and lives of people in the Niger Delta in Nigeria (where the life expectancy is only 41 years of age because of Shell’s extraction there).”
She also alleged racial bias, saying, “I’ve since found out that afterwards other shareholders challenged the chair on the fact that the only questioner to be cut off and surrounded by security was the only woman of colour. It’s no surprise that Shell are racist is it?”
Loach’s removal from the AGM, which was held at Shell’s headquarters in London, has sparked outrage among environmental and human rights groups, who have long criticized the company’s operations in the Niger Delta.
Critics allege that Shell’s activities in the region have led to widespread environmental degradation, pollution, and health problems for local communities. They accuse the company of failing to adequately address oil spills and gas flaring, which releases harmful pollutants into the air.
Shell has faced numerous lawsuits and protests over its operations in the Niger Delta, with local communities demanding compensation and cleanup efforts. The company has maintained that it is working to address the issues and has invested in environmental remediation programs.
However, activists like Loach argue that more needs to be done to hold Shell accountable for the alleged harm caused to local communities and the environment.
The incident at Shell’s AGM has once again put the spotlight on the complex and often contentious relationship between fossil fuel companies, local communities, environmental activists and issues of racial bias. As pressure mounts on corporations to address their impact on the climate, the environment and societal issues, such confrontations are likely to continue.
Environmental groups have rallied behind Loach, calling for Shell to engage in meaningful dialogue with affected communities and take concrete steps to address the issues raised by the activist.
Shell has not yet commented on the specific incident involving Loach’s removal from the AGM.
