Personal attention of
Mr. Stuart Bruseth
Head of Global Media Relations
Royal Dutch Shell plc.
I have sent under separate cover by email a story that appeared in our local newspaper, The Daily Nation, this week. I understand that Shell have accepted responsibility for the leaking of the A1, kerosene pipe sometime ago, but the settlement figure has yet to be agreed by the Southern Farmers group. I personally witnessed this week, a bucket being lowered into a recently built well in a heavily populated residential area some distance from the original pipes. When hauled-up the bucket appeared to contain a highly flammable liquid that smelt like kerosene.
Very close by residents attempting to grow ground provisions and animals were feeding off the grass. The well was also located less than 500 yards from one of our most pristine beaches, Enterprise. I fully understand that there are lawyers representing your interests, on Barbados, but I implore you to ensure that immediate action is taken before this issue develops into a major environmental problem. I have read the Shell environmental mission statement on your website and I fully support your good intentions and work in this area.
Sadly, this matter has been allowed to drag on for an unreasonable time and in the interests of all Barbadians, would ask that you ensure satisfactory closure.
Thank You
Adrian Loveridge
5 January 2008
Related Stories
Shell Oil Company Giving Barbadian Farmers Raw Deal
Adrain L you wrote that you have called Sir Kyffin but what can he do besides suasion? SOL and Shell are now two different companies.
Here is some background to oil spills and Royal Dutch Caribbean (Shell).
Moments after we wrote the above comment, Adrian L received the following response from SOL.
Dear Adrian,
Please be advised that as much as we would like to help in resolving this matter, Sol is not in any way involved in this matter as Shell retained ownership and liability of the Oistins storage facility and pipeline to
the airport as part of Sol’s acquisition of Shell’s marketing business back in 2005. Shell has made it perfectly clear to Sol, that we have no right to represent them in this matter and that we should not get involved
in any way. We do know however that Shell has commissioned a thorough environmental assessment of the entire area from Oistins to the airport with the intention of identifying and remediating affected areas.
Unfortunately for Sol having licensed the Shell brand for its retail business in Barbados, our business suffers as a result of this publicity.
We hope like you that this matter can be resolved in the soonest possible timeframe.
Sincerely,
Stewart Gill
Executive Director
The Sol Group
2nd Floor Mahogany Court
Wildey, St. Michael, Barbados
(246) 431-4885, (246) 431-4880 fax
stewart.gill@solpetroleum.com
David..
I was hoping for moral persuasion.
I know a phone call from Sir Kyffin to Shell would do a lot more than I could do.
I understand SOL’s position, but the average consumer in the street just sees the Shell logo and colours.
We cannot sit back and allow neat kerosine to polute our water system and pristine beaches.
So long as Adrian Loveridge in involved in that, those farmers have lost any sympathy or support they would have gotten from the Bajan public.
Adrian Loveridge,
Do you know that you are a pariah in Bajan society?
Funny how you can only come running to get a photo op with these black Bajan farmers now that elections have been called.
These are the same sort of people whom you routinely chase off your precious hotel property if they ever set foot there.
STOP EXPLOITING BLACK BAJANS WITH YOUR FRAUDULENT POLITICAL TRICKS!
Shiela Thomas can you explain your comment?
What Adrian L has done is what any Barbadian can do. Regrettably many of us prefer to sit quietly while we witness the suffering of others and do nothing. Let us all think how we can do our little part to relieve the hardship many of the Southern Farmers are facing because at the moment is seems to BU that not enough is being done by the government, by the politicians and by the citizenry.
Shelia Thomas..
What have YOU done to assist the Southern Farmers in any way?
If you can help resolve this matter, I will gladly walk away.
Earlier this week the Farmers asked me to be at the media meeting and I was happy to offer any support that I could.
Now tell me again, what have you done?
Adrian Loveridge,
I can tell you for sure that one thing I have done today is warn the Southern Farmers about a FAKE and a FRAUD like you!
Why don’t you allow them to hold a press conference from your precious hotel?
Oh, I forgot… poor black farmers are not allowed to set foot in white massa’s hotel.
Once again we see what we have always seen… Adrian Loveridge EXPLOITING black Bajans for cheap publicity in order to promote his hotel and put money in his own pockets.
Loveridge, you would make a real good SLAVEMASTER. Your divide and rule tactics are well honed… and you have the right COLOR for it too.
If the Southern Farmers really want to promote their cause, they should find another spokesperson. Adrian Loveridge is tainted with his well known political agenda in Barbados.
If a group of black farmers in Barbados has a quarrel with international oil giant Shell, think about what happens when they call on BBC or CNN to tell their story to the world.
Who will take them seriously when the cameras show a WHITE BRITISH HOTEL OWNER speaking?
What does a WHITE BRITISH HOTEL OWNER have to do with BLACK BAJAN FARMERS?
We as a people must think carefully and choose wisely who we want to represent us!
FOREIGNERS like Adrian Loveridge have no business in our business.
Gee. Sheila has a serious beef here. She should at least be woman enough to lay his/her case as to the real reason for it.
David, I agree, Barbadians are too docile. We do not utilise the avenues and options available to us. I commend Adrian for his attempts, providing it is with the endorsement and support of Southern Farmers and urge them to take whatever “legal persuasive” action is necessary to at least get feedback or discourse from the alleged offenders.
Sheila Thomas
WHAT IS WRONG WITH HAVING A WHITE BRITISH HOTEL OWNER WHO IS A NATURALIZED BAJAN DOING ANYTHING IN BARBADOS?
WHY CANT A WHITE BRITISH HOTEL OWNER HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH BLACK BAJAN FARMERS?
Here is one reason. Think about it
He might just be buying thier produce to serve in his hotel. I dont suppose that you know that it is black Bajan farmers that provide the hotels all over Barbados with produce?
Well I do. My mom used to do it. My ex still does it. And by the way both of them are FOREIGNERS like Adrian Loveridge.
Have you thought a bit about ALL THE BAJANS WORKING OVERSEAS THAT COULD BE CALLED FOREIGNERS IN THESE COUNTRIES.
I dont know Adrian Loveridge. Will someone kindly tell me what sin, what evil think that he has done that he is so villified on this forum?
Where is the loyal opposition in this matter. We do have a shadow Minister of the Environment, why is he silent. This has been going on for years and we now seeing Ronald Jones and his team. BLP, where are you?
Adrian, your book cover have been removed and we can now see your agenda. Are you singing with the choir?
He might just be buying thier produce to serve in his hotel. I dont suppose that you know that it is black Bajan farmers that provide the hotels all over Barbados with produce?
……………………………………………………………………
Would he take such a risk?
Let us ask all those people who are attacking Adriam L a question. Barbadians are reputed to be an educated people, right? Do the Sourther Farmers have a just cause? If the answer is yes why are some of you expending energy attacking Adrian L? Use that same voice to write the government, Royal Dutch etc.
Let us ask all those people who are attacking Adriam L a question. Barbadians are reputed to be an educated people, right?
……………………………………………………………………..
My statements are not directed at Adrian, but the deafening silence of the two major political parties. He only fall into my equation in the timing of his presence at the 11th hour prior to elections. That’s to my mind is political representation for a cause.
why are some of you expending energy attacking Adrian L?
==========================
Because it is easier to express hate and racism than to actually stand up and let one’s voice be heard for a just cause.
Frankology what if Adrian L is engaged is being opportunistic as you say, does it matter? Look at the big picture i.e the farmers.
Because it is easier to express hate and racism than to actually stand up and let one’s voice be heard for a just cause.
…………………………………………………………………….
An individual do not have the power to fight a corporate heavy weight like Shell. It would have been better for a force like the DLP to fight Shell with the backing of the Barbadian Public. It is the DLP who should be writing to and retaliate against this oil giant.
Frankology what if Adrian L is engaged is being opportunistic as you say, does it matter? Look at the big picture i.e the farmers.
…………………………………………………………………….
It is commendable effort, but I am still seeing a distinct political effort. The picture I am seeing is a “small picture”. The “big picture” for the farmers will be better with a mobilization of forces led by the opposition. That’s my final position.
Frankology what if Adrian L is engaged is being opportunistic as you say, does it matter? Look at the big picture i.e the farmers.
…………………………………………………………………….
It is commendable effort, but I am still seeing a distinct political effort. The picture I am seeing is a “small picture”. The “big picture” for the farmers will be better with a mobilization of forces led by the opposition. That’s my final position.
Adrian Loveridge the political FRAUDSTER.
When did he ever become a friend of black Bajan farmers?
He has his own political agenda and personal vendettas to pursue.
Adrian Loveridge the “Saviour of Black Bajan Farmers”? … HA!
David,
The Bible is also full of stories of wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Adrian Loveridge is one of them!
THE BLP IS the “Saviour of Black Bajan Farmers” Right ? … HA!
They were in power for the last 13 years.
We must agree with Frankology that the DLP should be injvolved in this fight at this time.
Geogie Porgie do you know the reason the BWU has waited until now to press for his demands from C&W? You are a smart guy and we know you know the answer.
The 13 year battle by Southern Farmers has had to wait for the opportunity where their raised voices might embarrass the government.
David,
“The 13 year battle by Southern Farmers has had to wait for the opportunity where their raised voices might embarrass the government.”
And that is exactly the same OPPORTUNITY which the OPPORTUNIST Adrian Loveridge has been waiting for. We know what his agenda is… “embarass the government” at all costs, even to the detriment of the country Barbados.
The BWU has ALWAYS represented worker’s rights in Barbados, unlike Adrian Loveridge the FRAUD who only now chooses to hang around black farmers when it is a few days away from an election. After he has used them for political expedience, come January 16th 2008 they will revert to being the same grimy black people who are not welcome on the premises of Peach and Quiet Hotel.
As a Bajan my ultimate loyalty is to my country Barbados.
Where does Adrian Loveridge’s loyalty lie? In the UK where he comes from? In his personal vendetta against black ministers in the BLP? Or in his hotel bank account?
I know for sure that he is NOT a Bajan. If he really wanted to help those farmers, he would have done so YEARS ago when he was writing articles in the Advocate and sipping whiskey with Owen Arthur and the BLP. Now that he has been ejected and disowned by the upper ranks of the tourism power brokers in Barbados, he is trying to cry wolf and fool gullible Bajans.
Again I caution Bajans… do not be deceived by this charlatan, FAKE and FRAUD called Adrian Loveridge. The history of the Caribbean is replete with stories of foreign fraudsters coming to our shores to deceive people… Jim Jones, Eddie D’Andrade, and that other foreign white crook who came here as an investor some years back and swindled businesses out of hundreds of thousands…
Again,
we easily lose track of what is pertinent for discussion and revelation. How did this topic suddenly become an Adrian Lovridge discussion.
This is about the Farmers and their plight, not if Mr. Loveridge is white or British, and to add insult to injury no one is laying any facts as to why Mr. Loveridge should not be trusted.
There must be international organisations and bodies that can join the fight against Shell for these farmers. If any one knows of any such organisations perhaps they can post it in this discussion
This discussion is about the Farmers and not Adrian Loveridge get back on point.
And a suggestion to Mr. Loveridge, if what Ms. Thomas is saying is correct, and you are viewed as a pariah, then you can do much more by stepping away and advising. This is just my suggestion I have nothing againt you.
Warrior,
“And a suggestion to Mr. Loveridge, if what Ms. Thomas is saying is correct, and you are viewed as a pariah, then you can do much more by stepping away and advising. This is just my suggestion I have nothing againt you.”
If Loveridge was REALLY interested in helping those farmers, he would have done exactly that, and he would have done it a long time ago. But look at the HOW and WHEN of it all.
HOW: There he is pushing himself to the front of the crowd to get himself in photos on CBC, and trying to mouth off in the Nation to make sure that his NAME and the NAME OF HIS HOTEL get more free publicity.
WHEN: Two weeks before a general election he suddenly discovers that he loves black Bajan farmers.
What a FAKE and a FRAUD.
As you correctly pointed out, he could have advised them on what to do or who to contact without this blatant and shameless ATTENTION-SEEKING which is characteristic of him. Why does his name have to be the only one being promoted on these blogs? Where are the names of the farmers? Why is it that this white massa is the only one who can call Kyffin Simpson or send a letter to Shell? The operator of BU has also done these farmers a GREAT DISSERVICE by not contacting them. Instead you are happy to be seen fawning over your great white saviour Adrian Loveridge. Why is that? Who bewitched you?
David Thompson was born in the UK Sheila. He is a BAJAN because his parents are BAJAN.
One other way that you can become BAJAN, besides by birth is by naturalization- like Mr Loveridge.
I dont know what sin that Loveridge committed but since he is indeed BAJAN, he does have a right to speak at this time or at any other time, despite his color or land of birth.
To be discriminated against because you are white or black or a foreigner is a hurtful thing.
I have suffered from being discriminated against because both because I was black in one place and being a foreigner another place.
David,
“GP we should add that any citizen from the Commonwealth living in Barbados for at lease 3 years can vote.”
Interesting that you are never use that argument when you are ranting and railing about the GUYANESE who are living in Barbados. Oh, I forgot, they are only blacks and Indians… not lily white like your massa Loveridge the FRAUD and publicity-seeking FAKE.
David wrote “History is replete starting with the bible of the giant being slain by Davids.”
I like that googly!
David you know of course that the inaugaral David had previously killed both a lion and a bear with his bare hands. So a giant of a man was not a big problem.
David can I challenge you to go thou and do like wise! Figuratively of course. LMAO
Theres nothing like Bajan jesting and jousting. I really miss it where I am. Am I glad to find BU? Wow!
“
BU,
The same 21×14 Barbados is TOO SMALL for even ONE white massa.
Adrian Loveridge is not a Bajan and will NEVER be a Bajan. He is a white British foreigner who qualified for Barbadian citizenship because he has lived here for X number of years. His wife is the same British as him, and he is an alien to Bajan culture. As some very dear friends of mine like to say, he doesn’t even know what coucou is!
Matter of fact, I wonder if he can even identify half of the crops planted by those Bajan farmers.
Yoohoo, Mr. Loveridge, do you know what pigeon peas are?
It is very sad that there are people like Sheila Thomas in Barbados! Instead of seeing through colour and trying to help the small farmers, she is trying to find fault with someone who is trying to help them. More than she / he is doing. Shame on you!!!
Sheila Thomas, people like you gave Barbados a bad name with you racist opinions……………If you want something positive to do. Why don’t you go out and canvas for the desperate BLP and stop taking up space on the blog… Your behaviour is shameful!!!!!!
why am i of the opinion that sheila thomas int one of de poppits at bfpe.
this is what im talking about, unity among people and some poppit always ready to give a bad name by talking crap. thank god loveridge and other white people dont think like her.
sheila why dont you do something about the matter then? stop being a stupid racist woman you are and do something to help de people then.
adrian kudos to you for taking a stand, let we see how far this will go.
ya know what is funny about sheila, i hope wunna people see it.
SHEILA IS BEING NEGATIVE ON A MAN WHO IS DOING SOMETHING POSITIVE
how ironic, sheila you cannot be from earth, i hope you only use natural products from natural resources, cuz almost everything we use begins from the white man with the green bills.
only one word can describe you and thats stupid.
Well Sheila is showing her BLP colours – Intolerance, Intolerance, Intolerance.
She like the rest of that party sits on their bums, and criticise when somebody tries to help another human being.
Red or Yellow, Black or White, all are precious in His sight.
Time you bunch learn a little love and humility
Make sure not to miss the interesting DISCLAIMER on that website…
This is not the website of Royal Dutch Shell Plc nor is it endorsed by them or affiliated with them in any way. For the official Shell portal website, click on “Further Information and Links” below.
Yet another Adrian Loveridge FRAUD!!!
Who is he trying to FOOL?
I like the reply that ~B~F~P~E~ just posted on it though!
Loveridge is a FAKE and a FRAUD.
🙂
I think Sheila is Noel Lynch. I wonder how he get the time to come on the blog from his busy campaign schedule?
The DLP website is like the party… NOT READY YET.
I like the cartoon though… it reminds me of my dear colleague: 900 lb Gorilliphant!
I wonder how he get the time to come on the blog from his busy campaign schedule?
====
Try via a laptop.
Ah mm Sheila? the email from Adrian Loveridge was posted by John Donovan who is the web master of this site which is obviously a site that opposes the policies of Shell. I am pretty sure that Mr Bruseth of Shell would have received a copy as well.
I think that this back and worth with this “Sheila Thomas” has done what it was designed to do, to take us away from the point at hand, to take us away from the plight of the farmers. The point is that no one else of substance has come to the farmers’ aid and it has been going on for years. I think the Adrian has the right policy if we also put some pressure and some calls to SOL, then they would also push the pressure up to Shell. But when we have people making arguments of no or little substance then we will always be “spinning in mud” Most people would only talk, but will crusify the ones that try to make a difference. This is what the politicians do, pure laughing and pretty talk and little substance.
I believe that this “Shiela Thomas” that has suddenly appeared, is one of our regular political pimps who are only here to cause strife. R.I.P.
Currently I support the BLP, not everything they do (alot I disagree with actually) but in general they have made mistakes but they have done a reasonable job, I have voted DLP, BLP, NDP (actually I belived the NDP had the right ideas but were never given a fair chance, a lot of NDP ideas are not implemented by the BLP, Income Tax etc.) I don’t mind voting against the BLP, but show me the alternative and what they REALLY have to offer. I told my representative already, I will give my vote now, but when if I decide not to give him I will LET HIM KNOW. I have nothing to hide, I am direct and I tell it like it is. When he, or them do crap I tell him that. R,I,P,
Shell has only just settled a pipeline leakage case taken out against then in 1988.
The Limestone Township (Illinois) received a
settlement of US$46 million.
Here is some resource info which gives some idea of the magnitude of the effort which will be required by the Southern Farmers. It makes us wonder if Shell should have been allowed to exit the Caribbean by selling its distribution network in several of the islands.
Oil suits filed since 1999
You all need to understand if you are trying to get compensation for corporate wrongdoing by a powerful, trans-national corporation like Shell what forces you really up against.
Watch the video documentary “The Corporation” ( see: http://www.thecorporation.com ) to get an idea of just how much power these large, multinational corporations have at their disposal.
Excerpts from the documentary are also available on Google Video, Just go to http://video.google.com and do a search on “The Corporation” to get the links.
We have consistently been making the point that an Arthur administration which is focussed on creating a climate for foreign investment will not want to be embroiled in any head to head with a multi-national over a few acres of land and the plight of a dozen farmers. The administration would be more concerned with being fixed on the big prize i.e. uninterrupted foreign investment flowing into the country.
The reply by Stuart Gill is a good PR response. Despite anything said by Mr. Gill the best way to put pressure on Shell is via SOL.
Hit them where it hurts (boycotts, bad press etc etc) and believe me they (SOL) will put pressure on Shell. The fact that SOL is a licensee means that less revenues to SOL is less revenue to Shell.
Gill says “Shell has made it perfectly clear to Sol, that we have no right to represent them in this matter and that we should not get involved in any way.” The Barbadian public agrees with Shell. We want SOL to represent the interests of Barbadians. If SOL knows what is good for them then they had better “get involved” but on the side of Barbados and not Shell.
Gill also says “We do know however that Shell has commissioned a thorough environmental assessment of the entire area from Oistins to the airport with the intention of identifying and remediating affected areas.” Really? The company that created the problem is going to commission a study. How reassuring. Thirteen years after acknowledging the problem they are going to commission a study!
Which brings us to the question. Where is the Barbados Government and the Ministry of the Environment in all of this? This is not just a narrow problem for the farmers about compensation for loss of earnings. The environment destroyed belongs to future generations. They should have been the ones leading the fight against Shell, not only to compensate farmers but to clean up the environment.
Waterboy said:
I have already started doing that. I avoid filling up at Shell branded stations (or shopping in their convenience stores), and if I am caught short and need some gas with only a Shell station handy, I don’t get a fill up, I just buy a quarter tank or so to get me back on the road until I can fill up somewhere else.
SHEILA THOMAS I AGREE WITH YOU ONE HUNDRED PERCENT ..ADRIAN SAID NOTHING ABOUT THIS ALL ALONG ONLY NOW …HE IS A TROUBLE MAker AND NOTHING ELSE WHO WANTS TOO FEEL LIKE A BIGSHOT ..I PROMISED NEVER TO COMMENT ON HIS ARTICLES AGAIN OR READ THEM BUT THE HEADLINE CAUGHT MY EYE ……HE IS JUST A WASTE OF BREATHING SPACE AND NOTHING ALSE
I was just reading your comments with some of the committee members from the southern farmers Assoc. I want to make a few comments in defense of Mr. Loveridge. We approached Adrian a hotelier in our contituency and invited him like we invited others. He turned up, why on earth didn’t the others turned up
where were the black people that we invited
Where were the concerned Bajans?
This is thirteen years that we have been crying alone for the moral help of the bajan public.we approached Mr. Loveridge because we found oil a few yards from Miami beach. do you think that all the other hotelier read the news paper or watch CBC
We are tired of hearing ou gutless people who don’t see that this is not the farmers problem. this is a problem that should have the next generation of bajans mad. This is a problem that should have every fish loving bajan angry. Every fisherman who need our delicate coral reef for his economic existence should be joining our cause. and my dear friend sheila if your are a real nationalistic black bajan please come alongside us and help us fight. where are the voices of the environmentalist, the scientist, the water engineers, the BLP, the DLP? Except for Senator Francis Chandler they all fade into oblivion. Remember the farmlands, the coral reefs, they belong to us they are our inheritance
Arrindel it seems to us that the Southern Farmers have waited way too long to start legal proceedings. The Internet is filled with similar situations of Shell dragging out negotiations for compensation around the world.
Shell has demonstrated a blatant disregard for the surroundings it is, or has been operating in.
The current law suit over their Deer Park refinery is a classic example.
SOL at least had the courtesy to respond in a timely manner but Shell with its almost obsence profits feel that it can totally ignore the ordinary man-in-the-street.
But, I just do not blame them.
I blame ‘our’ Government and the representative for the area for not ensuring that action was taken against Shell.
13 YEARS OF PROMISES!
Even now, after finding what appeared to be be pure kerosine in a residential well, in a heavily population area, I wonder how many environmental health officers have inspected the site?
Hi Guys, It is not that we have waited toolong to start legal proceedings. we have a writ file in the high courts years ago by our first lawyer. but all along that strategy has been to try for an out of court settlement. Our lawyer at the time always gave the assurance that a payment was just around the corner.
Even today we still prefer an out of court settlement as a matter of fact shell’s lawyer at one time suggested arbitration. Today we still feel that the court system may not suit our cause effectively. The moment that this is in court we will be muted and at the mercy of a system that is not always fair to the small man.
we were able to speak freely when we uncover the fact that pure jet A fuel was in oistins. We were abled on sunday night to go to Foundation school and publicly put our case to the Prime minister. And we are not finished yet, shell soon will be begging us to ease up.
By the way David there are not many groups in Barbados that has stuck with any fight as consistently as we have been doing. We have not weaken over the last thirteen years, we have gotten stronger and stronger, and the best is yet to be seen
Arrindell
Is that you with the Antiguan wife and a son that just graduated in Canada last year?
shell is absolutly right to ignore yall farming fools …lol hahahahaha
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