Court orders Shell to pay Nigeria farmers for oil pollution
The appellate court in the Netherlands ruled Friday that Shell’s claims of sabotage along the Nigerian pipeline are not supported by evidence. By Clyde Hughes: WORLD NEWS: JAN. 29, 2021 / 8:03 AM Jan. 29 (UPI) — A Dutch court ruled on Friday that oil company Royal Dutch Shell must compensate farmers in Nigeria for oil spills that occurred years ago.The farmers sought compensation and cleanup over pollution that resulted from leaky oil pipelines.
The appellate court said Friday that Shell is liable for damages and also must install new equipment to prevent future problems.
“Oil supply in the leaky pipe could have been shut down earlier if a leak detection system had been present,” the Court of Appeals wrote.
The amount Shell must pay to the farmers will be determined at a later hearing.