This information is crucial in order for the court case brought against Shell in The Netherlands to arrive to just conclusions on the matter, but this is not of the interest of the company, said Chima Williams, lawyer and activist with Friends of the Earth Nigeria, in an interview with Real World Radio.

Friends of the Earth Netherlands and four Nigerian fisherfolks and farmers filed a lawsuit against British-Dutch Shell at a court in The Hague for the environmental pollution caused by Shell´s oil leaks in Oruma, Goi and Ikot Ada Udo villages, and for the subsequent social, health and economic problems brought to these communities. The company refused last week to make public 30 documents that would provide more information about the oil leaks in the Niger Delta.

These documents will prove that the plaintiffs are right, and that is why Shell won´t provide them, said Williams to Real World Radio.

He also made reference to the problems faced by Oruma, Goi and Ikot Ada Udo communities. He said that there have been new leaks in Goi and a few weeks ago another leak was found in Oruma. Williams stated that the consequences of Shell´s behavior are suffered every day by the communities and the environment.

Williams highlighted that the local communities of the Niger Delta associate Shell with death and think that the people responsible are liars, don´t respect the value of life and are people who only care about profiting without taking into account the risks for human life. He also said that this can be applied not only to Shell, but also to all transnational corporations operating in the area, and even some national companies.

The activist highlighted the need to leave oil on the ground and to look for more sustainable energy sources, that do not affect the environment or human beings.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/justin_case/