Reacting to the hiring by the Nigerian oil regulator of the Boston Consulting Group and S&P Global to help scrutinize the sale of Shell's onshore assets in the country, Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigeria Director, said:
"The decision by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to hire BCG, which already performs a wide variety of other work for Shell, to help assess this sale is concerning. It is similarly worrying that S&P Global, which also plays a key role in rating Shell's debt and creditworthiness as well as providing other services to the oil company, is also involved.
"Given the enormous human rights risks at stake it is essential that reviews of the sale are not just independent - but seen to be independent.for the oil spills related to the business it is selling, which for decades have polluted the environment, contaminated drinking water and poisoned agricultural land, fisheries and people.