Since oil was discovered in the Niger Delta in 1956, over 400 billion dollars worth has been pumped out of these fertile grounds. The Delta, the third largest wetland in the world, has become the main source of foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria yet it remains the least developed area of the country. These images document daily life along the Niger Delta, its inhabitants and the conditions in which they live.
An oil spill from an abandoned Shell Petroleum Development Company well in Oloibiri, Niger Delta.
Oil-soaked workers take a break from cleaning up a spill in the swamps near Oloibiri.
Oil-soaked workers take a break from cleaning up a spill in the swamps near Oloibiri.
Workers subcontracted by Shell Petroleum Development Company clean up an oil spill from an abandoned well in Oloibiri, Niger Delta.
Workers subcontracted by Shell Petroleum Development Company clean up an oil spill from an abandoned well in Oloibiri, Niger Delta.
A Shell worker holds a machete during a cleanup operation of an oil spill in Oloibiri, while disgruntled locals watch.
A Shell worker holds a machete during a cleanup operation of an oil spill in Oloibiri, while disgruntled locals watch.
The pollution and environmental degradation of the Niger Delta is striking, particularly in the towns, where the absence of sanitation is evident.
The pollution and environmental degradation of the Niger Delta is striking, particularly in the towns, where the absence of sanitation is evident.
With a Shell pipeline running through its little harbour, small fishing enclaves have seen their waters polluted and fish stocks depleted.
With a Shell pipeline running through its little harbour, small fishing enclaves have seen their waters polluted and fish stocks depleted.
In the village of Odiemereyi, an oil spill from an old Total pipeline dating back to 1968 spoils a swamp near lands belonging to the community.
In the village of Kalabilema, a felled mangrove forest bears the scars of a fire that killed four people in March 2004.
Three locals sit in a boat in front of a Nembe fishing village in Bayelsa state with a Shell pipeline running through its little harbor.
Three locals sit in a boat in front of a Nembe fishing village in Bayelsa state with a Shell pipeline running through its little harbor.
In the Ogoniland village of Kpean, an oil wellhead that had been leaking for weeks has turned into a raging inferno.
In the Ogoniland village of Kpean, an oil wellhead that had been leaking for weeks has turned into a raging inferno.
In the Ogoniland village of Kpean, an oil wellhead that had been leaking for weeks has turned into a raging inferno.
A gas flare blasts heat and pollution into the Niger Delta environment at the Etelebou Flow Station.
A gas flare blasts heat and pollution into the Niger Delta environment at the Etelebou Flow Station.
In the oil town of Afiesere, local Urohobo people bake "krokpo-garri", or tapioca in the heat of a gas flare.
In the oil town of Afiesere, local Urhobo people bake "krokpo-garri", or tapioca, in the heat of a gas flare.
The Agip Oboma flow station in Okoroma.
The Agip Oboma flow station in Okoroma.
A disgruntled worker tries to board the oil rig "Auntie Julie the Martyr," run by the Nigerian company Conoil.
Tank drivers wait for work in the Tanker Park of PTD (Petroleum Tanker Drivers) in Warri.
These images show the environmental impact of the oil industry, and the conditions of the laborers who are forced to work in these conditions.
These images show the environmental impact of the oil industry, and the conditions of the laborers who are forced to work in these conditions.
