Negotiations between Shell and Nigerian residents affected by two oil spills in 2008 failed to reach a compensation deal Friday, with residents' lawyers calling the oil giant's settlement offer "insulting."
.
Talks began on Monday in Port Harcourt, the oil hub in southern Nigeria's Niger Delta region, with representatives of about 15,000 residents from Bodo, a cluster of fishing communities in Rivers state.
.
Both the British-Dutch firm and the residents' lawyers said the talks had failed to reach a compensation deal and it was unclear when further talks would occur. Villagers rejected the offer unanimously, their lawyers said.
.
"We took part in this week's settlement negotiations with two objectives — to make a generous offer of compensation to those who have suffered hardship as a result of the two highly regrettable operational spills in 2008, and to make progress in relation to clean-up," a Shell statement said.
.
"We haven't reached agreement on compensation, which is disappointing."
.
Shell said however that progress had been made regarding plans for a clean-up of the area.
.
Meetings have been set for September 26 and 27 to discuss how to proceed with a clean-up, with the talks to be overseen by the Dutch ambassador. The community and Shell have so far been unable to agree on the parameters for a clean-up.
Well let's just say it was obvious it was gonna happen at some point so let's just say it isn't shocking.
Can't wait to see how this will pan out though!