This debate is now closed.
Is Shell's pay-out a victory for Nigeria?
Royal Dutch Shell has agreed a $15.5m (£9.7m) out-of-court settlement in a case accusing it of complicity in human rights abuses in the Niger Delta.
It was brought by relatives of nine anti-oil campaigners, including author Ken Saro-Wiwa, who were hanged in 1995 by Nigeria's then military rulers.
The case, alleging that Shell was complicit in the murder and torture of the activists, members of the Ogoni ethnic group, was due in court next week.
But the oil giant has not accepted any liability over the allegations. It strongly denies any wrongdoing and says the payment is part of a "process of reconciliation".
What do you think of the pay-out by Shell? Is it a step forward for Nigeria? Will it help communities in oil rich regions to establish greater rights? What do you believe should happen next in the Niger Delta?
Read the main story
Published:
Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 11:45 GMT
12:45 UK
All comments as they come in
Added:
Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 17:03 GMT
18:03 UK
The pay-out is so disgusting. It is like selling Ken Saro-Wiwa and those murdered along with him for some pieces of silver. How would this money repair the damage that has been done to Ogoniland and its people? It is such a disgrace to Africa - giving the impression that Africans can forgo everything for money! That money settles nothing. At best it only consoles.
Chief Bisong Etahoben, Yaounde, CAMEROON
|
Added:
Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 16:47 GMT
17:47 UK
For those of you hailing this as a great victory, or as a financial punishment to the Oil Cartel's.....they are going to pass the cost along to you the consumer.
It will cost them nothing.
Please do not be so guilable.
David Erickson, San Antonio, Texas
|
Added:
Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 16:16 GMT
17:16 UK
Well,$15.5 million cannot bring back any life but the step towards peace are always welcome by me but,I am of the opinion that instead of that pay,the shell company should have used the oil money to bring development to that oil rich community to an international standard,they come to Nigeria,make money and use it to develope only their own country including others but living the source where this money comes from in limbo,it's a BIG cheating and ignorant so,the Ogoni people should not rejoice.
Upga, Lagos
|
Added:
Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 16:13 GMT
17:13 UK
Should companies do business with corrupt leaders who have no regard for the welfare of their citizens? Do the companies have an obligation obligation for the health of the ecologies of the countries they do business in? I say no to the first and yes to the second. Shell violated both, and $15.5 million does begin to compensate for the damage it has caused to the Ogoni people.
biha, US
|
Added:
Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 16:02 GMT
17:02 UK
It shows the superiority of rule of law over violence. There is honour in this kind of victory. Conscience moved by persuasion will last longer than than that intimidated by violence. Niger Delta communities should see in this settlement, an alternative to violence.
Imma Okochua, Lagos, Nigeria
|
Added:
Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 15:28 GMT
16:28 UK
Fine of $15.5 million? The governments of those countries whose oil companies operate oilfields in the rest of the world will definitely clear their companies of wrong-doing! The payment is simply a cover-up not for the oil companies but rather by their respective governments! Will it stop human right violations? Definitely not! They call it " acts for national security and national interest"!
arseven reshat gumush, lefkosa- North Cyprus
|
Added:
Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 15:27 GMT
16:27 UK
I don't think Shell would solve the uncountable problems facing Niger-Delta, but late General Abacha and King Sarowiwa made mistakes by taking wrong judgement and by taking rules on their hands respectively. Shell pay-out is good but pay wisely.
IDRIS dangalan, kano, Nigeria
|
Added:
Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 15:05 GMT
16:05 UK
1) Hope this money will not distablised the Ogonis and their aspirations !
2) It will be well administered, its impact will be seen till next century, In education, skills development/ provision, alternative industry,Environmental restoration and sustainability.
Otherwise it will be another great disappointment to the Ogonis & Africans.
According to Otthman Dan Fodio "Conscience is an open wound,that only the truth could heal".
All party will search their conciense no mater when.
Olulere Adewale, Ilaro, Nigeria
|
Added:
Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 14:46 GMT
15:46 UK
I have two comments: 1)Is it interesting that the oil company does not want this trial to go forward! Even if they did win the case, I am sure plenty of dirty laundry would be aired 2)$15.5 million although a substantial amount of money for the oppressed Ogoni, it is a pittance to Shell and $15.5 million will not be enough to deter Shell from further bad acts in the Delta region
H. Oni Ayanru, New York, USA
|
Added:
Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 14:37 GMT
15:37 UK
$15.5 million is trivial compared to the ecological damage and the violence and death caused the Ogoni people. No European (western) or the US would have tolerated what Shell did Ogoniland.
nya, US
|
Added:
Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 14:35 GMT
15:35 UK
NO.
Nigeria is one of the most corrupt places on this planet. I lived there for years. You get bribed from the minute you land at the airport in Lagos. Everyone wants a bung for something. The problems will always be there as long as it is happening from the top down. Its like the pirates take the ships for hostages on the other coast of Africa. As long as you keep paying out they will continue.
Peter Norris, Streetly, United Kingdom
|
Added:
Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 14:33 GMT
15:33 UK
Shell's statement denying the alleged charges but agreeing to pay the sum of $15.5m is self-defence. It will come out worse than ever because elements of the Big-Slaves of Nigeria (leaders) who connived with her earlier are here.
Nigeria need a total flush (revolution). The example of Ken-Wiwa is an unquenchable fire for young spirited Nigerians to do the fight more thoroughly and relentlessly. Though i am not from that region i feel with them, because I am a Nigerian and love humanity.
Ben, Makurdi, Nigeria
|
Added:
Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 14:27 GMT
15:27 UK
Shell payment US$15.5m is not the solution to the niger-delta,
Just like Scotland is devolved from the UK within the UK, so the Niger-delta should be devolved from Nigeria, within Nigeria. All the oil majors should help the militants to achieve this political and economic solution to the niger-delta.
Devolution is the complete solution: this is my vision.
Donald Ofo, London
|
Added:
Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 14:17 GMT
15:17 UK
Protests had been scheduled ahead of the Wiwa v Shell trial. In spite of delays, people stayed with the case, demanding that Shell be held to account for human rights abuses. At last came the noon rally - New York, Foley Square in Manhattan. Supporters came out with a banner: ‘JUSTICE FOR THE OGONI’. In the UK, protestors in London targeted Shell’s London Headquarters in Waterloo. Activists handed out leaflets while chanting, ‘Justice is coming’.
If media coverage occurred, I must've missed it
Regina-Gabrielle Berry, Toronto, Canada
|
Added:
Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 14:06 GMT
15:06 UK
Shell pay out is insufficient for the Ogoni people. imagine $15.5m can it have any significant Change on a 1000km2 inhabitants.
Africans have been for long regarded as secondary citizens
LAWRENCE STANER, BALAKA- MALAWI
|
|
This Have Your Say is
CLOSED
DEBATE STATUS
Total comments: 74
Published comments: 26
Rejected comments: 8
From Have Your Say
|
News and analysis
