Petroleum Africa
Find us on: 
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
While the oil spill in the GoM may be doing incalculable economic damages to the US Gulf states, it has in a small way helped a Nigerian community. With the public outcry over the GoM spill ringing in everyone’s ears a Nigerian judge has ordered Royal Dutch Shell’s Nigerian unit, Shell Petroleum Development Co (SPDC), to pay a significant amount of damages to villagers.
The judgement against SPCDC is for a spill that took place almost four decades ago. Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, also ordered SPDC to pay $100 million in “special and puntitive damages” to the people of the Ejama-Ebubu Community. The judge also ordered that SPDC de-pollute and rehabilitate the dry land and swamps of the people of Ejama-Ebubu Community in Tai Eleme to its pre-impact status.
Shell’s defense that the “case was too old” was rejected by the Justice who countered that if it was just one nuisance in 1970, that might be a valid claim. But the spills have continued until this day making the judgment valid, he said.
Special damages were ordered for the loss of renewable crops, forestry, hunting income, animal traps, and water supply. Additionally, general damages were ordered for acid rain, underground water pollution, hardship to the population who have been deprived of self-sustenance, education, and a quality life.
" alt="First LNG Realized at the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim Project">
" alt="United Energy Acquires Western Desert Producer APEX">
" alt="Baker Hughes Announces Major Gas Technology Orders for Venture Global LNG">
" alt="ReconAfrica: Naingopo Results Demonstrate a Working Petroleum System">
" alt="Tullow Highlights 2025 Operational Plans in Ghana">
" alt="TotalEnergies to Supply 1.5 TWh to STMicroelectronics in France Over 15 years">
" alt="Rockhopper Reaches Final Settlement with United on Egypt’s Abu Sennan Concession">
" alt="Oil & Gas Crucial for African Growth: AEC Calls for Industry Support to Defend African Market">
