Farmers sue oil giant Shell over Niger Delta pollution
Four Nigerian farmers sit in the law courts in The Hague on October 11, 2012.
October 11th, 2012
08:59 AM ET

Farmers sue oil giant Shell over Niger Delta pollution

Four Nigerian farmers and the environmental group Friends of the Earth took oil giant Shell to court Thursday in the Netherlands to demand a proper cleanup and compensation for pollution in the Niger Delta.

The farmers want the Anglo-Dutch multinational to "clean up the oil pollution in their fields and fishponds" and make sure their pipelines are maintained and kept secure to prevent leaks in the future.

The civil case has been filed against the Nigerian subsidiary of Shell, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), and its international headquarters in the Netherlands, Royal Dutch Shell.

Based on "years of oil pollution in three villages in the Niger Delta," it could have "major legal consequences internationally," the Dutch branch of Friends of the Earth, known locally as Milieudefensie, said in a statement ahead of the first hearing.

The three villages concerned are Goi, hit by a spill in 2004, Oruma, affected by a spill a year later, and Ikot Ada Udo, hit by various spills in 2007, according to Friends of the Earth.

FULL STORY
Post by:
Filed under: Netherlands • Nigeria
soundoff (26 Responses)
  1. Peace Girl

    Love mother earth. Keep her clean.

    October 11, 2012 at 12:28 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Old Driller

    The Deepwater Horizon oil "spill" accounted for roughly 3% of the oil leaked into the Gulf of Mexico by thousands of other oilwells that year. Each oilwell is allowed to leak b/c there is no such thing as a perfectly sealed oilwell.

    October 11, 2012 at 12:31 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Compare US

    Compare how people of black skin color are treated here as opposed to how black citizens are treated in Africa.
    It's hard to compare one ghetto dweller vs. another. (other than 43% of Africa doesn't live off of welfare for decades)

    October 11, 2012 at 12:36 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Compare US

    If Africa's vast mineral reserves were reserved of African citizens, your avg. Nigerian would be very wealthy. Currently, over half of Africa's families sunsist on less than 3 dollars per day.
    How would you feel if Americas natural resources went to other countries as your children were starved? (not counting human natural resource Troops sent overseas to help with other peoples' domestic terrorism)

    October 11, 2012 at 12:44 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Compare US

    If Africa's vast mineral resources were reserved of African citizens instead of US and others, your avg. Nigerian would be a millionaire.

    October 11, 2012 at 2:44 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Compare US

    What would YOU do if, as your family starved, America's natural resources were going to help foreigners instead of US? (not counting our human resource troops sent to help with other countries' domestic violence/terrorism)

    October 11, 2012 at 2:48 pm | Report abuse |
  7. banasy©

    Da bore KR.

    October 11, 2012 at 8:25 pm | Report abuse |
  8. WOT

    Shell, this is these people country. Could people from another part of the world come to the USA and do what you are doing over there. Oh, the American Indians had no say, either. God help us , Americans, when the Chickens really come home to play. I love America but a lot of things we(Americans) do is just, wrong!

    October 11, 2012 at 8:49 pm | Report abuse |
  9. ronvan

    I do not understand why these problems keep coming up? IF ANY oil company drills, either abroad or home, they should be 100% responsible for any & all damages!! And while I TRY to respect every countries culture and dress, who the heck is the guy with the chicken suit on?

    October 13, 2012 at 6:05 pm | Report abuse |
1 2
« Back to main