CounterSpill

The United Nations has announced Royal Dutch Shell is responsible for over $1 billion in damage to the Niger Delta.

According to the UN Environment Programme's report, the extensive ecological damage could take at least 30 years to recover. 

Ibrahim Thiaw, a UN official, told Democracy Now how the money would be used. 

"We feel that an initial investment of $1 billion will be necessary to actually do the initial clean-up of the topsoil over the next five years and to also cover some of the costs that are associated with that activity, including the capacity building activities, and the center for excellence that was proposed needs to be also supported."

According to the Wall Street Journal, Shell contributed funding to the report and at least four oil company representatives were present at the announcement.

Audrey Gaughran of Amnesty International spoke with the AFP about Shell's responsibility to Nigeria. 

WATCH:

The report comes days after Shell accepted liability for spillage leaked from the the Bodo-Bonny, a trans-Niger pipeline that pumps 120,000 barrels of oil a day. The oil company is currently in talks to settle with community members out of court.