LISTEN: Court sets aside decision for Shell to conduct seismic blasting on Wild Coast
The High Court in Makhanda has set aside Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe's decision to grant oil giant Shell a permit to do seismic surveys on the Wild Coast.
Business Watch is a daily feature on East Coast Radio - on-air at 06:30 and 18:30, respectively.
The feature is hosted by economist and award-winning radio producer, WR Van Der Merwe.
A key issue in the case of Shell’s seismic survey off the East Coast is that the company relied on an old Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) from 2013.
However, even in 2013, many affected communities were not consulted about what a seismic survey might mean for them, since many did not know about the exploration right application and were not even listed as interested and affected parties.
Listen to the full podcast on the decision for Shell to conduct seismic blasting on Wild Coast:
Ntsindiso Nongcavu from Coastal Links Port St. Johns had the following to say on the matter:
“We are against oil and gas drilling in the ocean. This ruling, in our favour, means that our lives will carry on, as our livelihoods depend on fishing. We are happy that our plans have been fulfilled and our livelihoods have been secured, not just for us but for future generations.
This outcome motivates us because our government pays no mind to its people, but instead seems to want to make foreign companies richer. This is why we, as small-scale fishers, oppose oil and gas.
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Because of the onslaught of offshore oil and gas continues then future generations will have no interest in the sea as a means of life. We are glad that Shell did not win this case because it would mean that thousands of fishers will not be able to use the ocean as before because it will be zoned off and turned into a no-go area.
People will have to be evicted to make space for these operations. That would mean that people's rights will be taken away from them.”
You can also read more about the decision on ECR Newswatch. by clicking here.
As reported on eNCA: Shell Seismic Survey | Victory for Wild Coast activists: