ABUJA (AFP) Aug 25, 2004
The Nigerian Senate has ordered Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell to pay 1.5 billion dollars (1.2 billion euros) compensation for damages caused by nearly 60 years of exploration in the Niger Delta, a Senate document said Wednesday.
The senate adopted Tuesday a motion ordering the payment to members of the Ijaw ethnic group "for the severe health hazards, economic hardship, injurious affection, avoidable deaths and sundry maladies" resulting from oil spills at Shell facilities, the document said.
In London, a Shell spokeswoman said: "The reported senate resolution has not been communicated to the company.
"We would only be able to comment on it after a careful study of the resolution."
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