Royal Dutch Shell is expected to pay just over $83 million in compensation fees for two oil spills that occurred in Nigeria in 2008, benefitting the environmental disaster-stricken communities of the African country.
The Bodo community of Nigeria was most affected by the incident--although government officials originally asked for a substantially higher compensation rate, they were able to secure an amount greater than what Shell had originally promised to pay.
"It's very unusual to have thousands benefit," Leigh Day senior partner Martyn Day said, according to Reuters, citing plans to distribute the payment.
The $83 million will be shared evenly between 15,600 Bodo community members and a substantial amount will be placed in a trust fund for schools and medical facilities.
"The money will go directly to their bank accounts and this will hopefully be a model for future claims," Day added.
Shell, which was founded in 1907, has been at the center of both prosperity and controversy. While the company has been regarded as one of the most valuable within the oil, gas and natural energy industry, it has also been sharply criticized for human and environmental rights in several countries around the world.
Within the realm of investment, Shell has been criticized in the past for overstating oil reserves and subsequently costing investors and shareholders large sums of money.
Nigerian government officials are said to be working closely with Shell in distributing the money to the Bodo peoples.
