NIGERIAN FARMERS SUE OIL FIRM
Dec 4th, 2009 by admin
A group of Nigerian farmers are suing Royal Dutch Shell over an alleged oil spill in the Niger Delta region that they say ruined the livelihood of local villagers. The farmers claim that badly maintained pipelines of a subsidiary of Shell spilt oil that contaminated fish ponds and farms in Bayelsa State in 2005. Backed by environmental group Friends of the Earth Netherlands, the farmers took the case to a Dutch civil court yesterday. They are demanding compensation and hope the court will force Shell to clean up the area affected. The company has denied any responsibility for the incident, arguing the leak was caused by sabotage. The court is expected to announce on 30 December whether it will proceed with the case.
