Report from the annual Good Friday walk
mayo |
environment |
news report 
Saturday April 23, 2011 15:28
by Shell to Sea
rossportsolidaritycamp at gmail dot com
085 114 1170
Shell to Sea!
The annual Good Friday walk went ahead yesterday despite the heavy rain. About 83 people walked the length of Shell's 9km proposed raw gas pipeline. The walk is a symbolic act to push Shell out of this beautiful area.
Despite over a decade of resistance to Shell, the community and campaign here in Erris is still going strong and people are determined to protect their families and land. The crosses of the 9 Ogoni people hung by the Nigerian Government and Shell in 1995 led the walk and were laid at the gates the Shell compound in Aughoose and the proposed compound in Glengad. The 'Justice' sign in the field over in Rossport, which has been maintained so well over the years, stood out clearly over the estuary. Let's hope people wake up and stop this project before it's too late.
Refreshments were waiting in Glengad and it was a great chance to catch up with supporters from across the country. The Aughoose compound is where Shell plan to start the tunnel from, heading up the estuary and ending at Glengad, where the dangerous Land Value Installation would be situated if Shell get their way. However now is a great chance to stop them!
Next weekend is the Rossport Solidarity Camp Mayday gathering (Sat 30 April - Mon 2nd May) just opposite the Aughoose compound. It will be a great chance to get involved in the campaign and find out the latest information. The weekend will be packed with workshops, talks, training and protests. There is a camping field and food will be provided, donations welcome. We hope you can join us!
The full programme for the Mayday gathering and travel info is up on www.rossportsolidaritycamp.org
Remembering the 9 Ogoni people hung for protesting against Shell in the Niger Delta in 1995
Comments (7 of 7)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7More photos from yesterday's walk
Justice
The walk
Shell have set up the Aughoose compound
More photos from yesterday's walk
Justice
The walk
Shell have set up the Aughoose compound
Here is the photo that was supposed to go up as the first picture
Outside the Shell compound in Aughoose
Thanks for the Ogoni memorial in the Walk. We had a Nigerian lady staying in our house for Easter so I was able to read the account to her and show her the pictures. Dying on the gallows as the Ogoni 9 did is as near to a crucifixion as one can get as is dying in war or being executed as the 1916 leaders were. The cross remains a strong symbol of how we order society and gives us time for reflection.
Shell has already spent over 600 m euro the papers tell us today. That is our 614 million from promised tax on profit. Let us not forget the fact that we are paying for a project that we do not want and will not own under current terms, The Irish State is investing in the expense of a private prioect not in its profit. To the tune of 614m at this point. Add in the supposed 14m Gardai cost. For one gas well that has taken 11 years and still going to resolve. Time to stop giving out licences until we have an exact energy policy in place. We will go hawking our resources again in June. We do not know what is in the basket - we rely on the customer to tell us. Would any market woman do that?
Sorry you have not the full story above. The 614m is Shell Ireland's share - the full cost of developing the field - one or more wells? - is " expected to top 2.5 BILLION " which the Irish state has agreed to be written off tax on profit. So the Sate is actually underwriting costs of 2.5 BILLION to Shell on what is for now ONE gas well.
Piece in Irish Independent tody tells us that lessons have been learned from Corrib. We need to know them When will we hear? Before the next round? Contracts should not be signed dependent on consents. Communities to be fully informed, agree freely, well in advance ... the State needs to say what amount is being produced, what profit for the State...do we have a projection for profit on Corrib - energy supply is the weak part of the argument. Have we people currently and specifically in training to manage our resources if we are expecting licences to start producing. To start small - have we the An Bord Pleanala Project Moitoring Committee in place to oversee the Shell work taking place at Aughoose. What kind of expertise has Mayo County Council for such tasks? The An Bord Pleanala conditions are demanding of expertise.
All the people walking past at Aghoos looks great - well done!
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