Shell urged to pay Nigeria $ 5bn over oil spill

Abuja, 18 Jul – (ANA) - Nigeria's oil regulator has asked industry giant Shell to pay $ 5bn (£ 3.2bn) for a spill off the country's southern coast last December.

The disclosure was made during a parliamentary hearing on the matter.

A leak at the Bonga field during a transfer of oil to a tanker led to 40,000 barrels spilling into the Atlantic Ocean.

A Shell spokesperson said there was no need for a fine as everything had been done to prevent environmental damage.

The Bonga field, operated by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (Snepco), is approximately 120km (75 miles) offshore and produces 10% of Nigeria's oil exports.

The spill was contained before it reached the shore.

The head of Nigeria's National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency urged MPs on the House of Representatives's environment committee to approve his proposal.

"Although adequate containment measures were put in place to combat the Bonga oil spill, it however posed a serious environmental threat to the offshore environments," Peter Idabor said. (ANA)

FA/ANA/18 July 2012-----------