Wed Nov 5, 2008 1:57pm EST
AMSTERDAM, Nov 5 (Reuters) – Environment group Friends of the Earth Netherlands and four Nigerians said they plan to sue Anglo-Dutch oil giant Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L: Quote, Profile,Research, Stock Buzz) in a Dutch court on charges of negligence related to oil spills in Nigeria.
“New investigation shows that the villages of the Nigerian plaintiffs have been heavily polluted and that Shell has not adhered to international standards for ‘good oil field practice’ in Nigeria,” the group said in a statement on Wednesday.
The group said Shell (RDSa.AS: Quote,Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) had the authority and the control to ensure oil spills are prevented and are cleaned up.
The environmentalists said the Nigerian plaintiffs were fishermen and farmers from the oil-rich Niger Delta area who had suffered from the effects of oil spills related to Shell’s oil operations.
The group, which includes its Nigerian counterpart, said it would file the lawsuit on Friday.
Shell was not immediately available for comment.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Richard Hubbard)