AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA-NIGERIA

Oil is killing the fish, polluting the water, and endangering the people who make the Niger Delta their home. A major source of oil pollution is the practice of gas flaring, or the burning off excess gas as waste. The government of Nigeria and multinational oil companies active in the Niger Delta, including Shell, ENI, Total and Chevron, are jointly responsible for gas flaring in the region. But for half a century, the Nigerian government has demonstrated that it can't or won't hold oil companies accountable. This summer, they won't be able to dodge accountability anymore.Demand that oil companies operating in the Niger Delta put an end to gas flaring! As of today, critical questions that residents have raised about the associated health and environmental risks of gas flaring have not been answered. With our new Eyes on Nigeria project's satellite imaging and mapping technology, we aim to not only validate residents' concerns, but to expose serious human rights abuses. Amnesty teams and partners have collected more than 10 years worth of evidence that shows gas flaring is happening dangerously close to the waters where people drink, bathe, fish and wash their clothes. When Amnesty representatives meet with the Nigerian government and oil executives this summer, we'll share these facts and push for the answers that have been delayed for so long. Above all, we'll call on officials to set a solid deadline for ending gas flaring once and for all. Help us hold the Nigerian government's and oil companies' feet to the fire! Urge them to put an end to gas flaring and support full transparency about the health risks of flaring. Cleaning up the Niger Delta and stopping gas flaring is a small, but necessary step toward ensuring that basic human rights to health, food, clean water and livelihood in the Niger Delta are protected. Please add your voice to the growing number of people who are keeping their eyes on Nigeria. With Hope, Simon Billenness Business and Human Rights Group, Co-chair and Extractive Industries Lead Amnesty International USA