Comments on: Wiwa v Shell: $15.5 million settlement http://www.blacklooks.org/2009/06/wiwa_v_shell_155_million_settlement.html Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:47:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Sokari http://www.blacklooks.org/2009/06/wiwa_v_shell_155_million_settlement.html#comment-119375 Sokari Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:13:22 +0000 http://www.blacklooks.org/?p=3761#comment-119375 Anengiyefa@ I learned today that $15.5 million is equivalent to 5hrs earnings for Shell! I think that puts the figure in perspective and why on that basis there is no compulsion on Shell or others to make any change. However the negative publicity surrounding the settlement may influence their attitude towards Nigeria - but I am not that hopeful for the near future at least. Anengiyefa@ I learned today that $15.5 million is equivalent to 5hrs earnings for Shell! I think that puts the figure in perspective and why on that basis there is no compulsion on Shell or others to make any change. However the negative publicity surrounding the settlement may influence their attitude towards Nigeria – but I am not that hopeful for the near future at least.

]]> By: anengiyefa http://www.blacklooks.org/2009/06/wiwa_v_shell_155_million_settlement.html#comment-119370 anengiyefa Sun, 14 Jun 2009 11:17:56 +0000 http://www.blacklooks.org/?p=3761#comment-119370 Youre right Sokari. What was achieved by this settlement is that Shell has managed to avoid a potentially embarrassing court case. But the settlement itself imposes no compulsion on Shell or any other multinational to change the way they operate. The recent events in the Delta only confirms that the Nigerian government continues to place its commercial self-interest (and indirectly the interests of the oil companies) above the well-being of the people of the Delta. Youre right Sokari. What was achieved by this settlement is that Shell has managed to avoid a potentially embarrassing court case. But the settlement itself imposes no compulsion on Shell or any other multinational to change the way they operate. The recent events in the Delta only confirms that the Nigerian government continues to place its commercial self-interest (and indirectly the interests of the oil companies) above the well-being of the people of the Delta.

]]> By: Sokari http://www.blacklooks.org/2009/06/wiwa_v_shell_155_million_settlement.html#comment-119362 Sokari Sun, 14 Jun 2009 07:52:40 +0000 http://www.blacklooks.org/?p=3761#comment-119362 The proof will be in the pudding so to speak - will this change the attitudes of the multinationals in Nigeria - I very much doubt it. Will it change the Nigerian governments support of the multinationals - I doubt it. The proof will be in the pudding so to speak – will this change the attitudes of the multinationals in Nigeria – I very much doubt it. Will it change the Nigerian governments support of the multinationals – I doubt it.

]]> By: Beauty http://www.blacklooks.org/2009/06/wiwa_v_shell_155_million_settlement.html#comment-119319 Beauty Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:51:53 +0000 http://www.blacklooks.org/?p=3761#comment-119319 <i>the prudent thing has been done by both sides</i> sounded like, live to fight another day. The fight is not over as the myriad oil spills and fires in the region continue. the prudent thing has been done by both sides sounded like, live to fight another day. The fight is not over as the myriad oil spills and fires in the region continue.

]]> By: anengiyefa http://www.blacklooks.org/2009/06/wiwa_v_shell_155_million_settlement.html#comment-119302 anengiyefa Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:12:36 +0000 http://www.blacklooks.org/?p=3761#comment-119302 Royal Dutch Shell was acutely aware that they stood to lose if the case went to trial. Settling at this stage was a smart move on their part, insofar as embedded within the settlement is the acknowledgment by all parties that Shell is not guilty of wrongdoing. $15.5m is a huge amount to most, but not such an earth-shattering sum to a conglomerate as huge as Shell. Besides it definitely is the cheaper option for them. In my view, the Plaintiffs may have taken the money out of weariness over a matter that has dragged for a long time, 13 years to be precise. And they were wary of further legal proceedings, which were likely to be subject to a lengthy appeals process that potentially could last for several more years. And because justice delayed is justice denied, the prudent thing has been done by both sides. Royal Dutch Shell was acutely aware that they stood to lose if the case went to trial. Settling at this stage was a smart move on their part, insofar as embedded within the settlement is the acknowledgment by all parties that Shell is not guilty of wrongdoing. $15.5m is a huge amount to most, but not such an earth-shattering sum to a conglomerate as huge as Shell. Besides it definitely is the cheaper option for them.

In my view, the Plaintiffs may have taken the money out of weariness over a matter that has dragged for a long time, 13 years to be precise. And they were wary of further legal proceedings, which were likely to be subject to a lengthy appeals process that potentially could last for several more years. And because justice delayed is justice denied, the prudent thing has been done by both sides.

]]> By: Global Voices Online » Nigeria: Wiwa v Shell: $15.5 million settlement http://www.blacklooks.org/2009/06/wiwa_v_shell_155_million_settlement.html#comment-119301 Global Voices Online » Nigeria: Wiwa v Shell: $15.5 million settlement Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:55:37 +0000 http://www.blacklooks.org/?p=3761#comment-119301 [...] Sokari writes about Wiwa's case against Shell for human rights violation in Nigeria: “The case has been settled out of court with $10 million going to the 10 plaintiffs and $5 million being gifted to the Ogoni people.” Cancel this reply [...] [...] Sokari writes about Wiwa's case against Shell for human rights violation in Nigeria: “The case has been settled out of court with $10 million going to the 10 plaintiffs and $5 million being gifted to the Ogoni people.” Cancel this reply [...]

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