Shell To Pay ₤13 Million To Four Niger Delta Farmers For Pollution

Shell has agreed to pay ₤13m to four Niger Delta farmers and their communities to compensate for damage allegedly caused by pollution coming from leaks in its oil pipelines. The sum was agreed in negotiations between the oil company and campaign group friends of the farmers.

The oil spills in this case happened from 2004 to 2007 and the payout follows a decision last year by a Dutch court that the Nigerian branch of shell was responsible for the damage. The money will be going to communities in Oruma, Goi and Ikot Ada Udo.

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The four farmers who began the case – Barizaa Dooh, Elder Friday Alfred Akpan, Chief Fidelis Oguru and Alali Efanga – said the leaks from underground oil pipelines had cost them their livelihoods by contaminating land and waterways.

Mr Efanga and Mr Dooh have died since the case was first filed so their sons pursued the case instead. As well as compensation, last year’s court ruling ordered shell to set up a leak early detection system.

This has now been installed, according to the joint statement by shell and friends of the earth.