Argument advanced by the Federal Republic of Nigeria 73. The Defendants deny all the material allegations of fact put forward by the Plaintiff and required the strictest proof of the averments contained therein. 74. In denying the allegation that the oil spill led to poverty in the area, the Defendants contend that the oil exploration has no direct relation with poverty in the region and that the allegations thereof are speculative. 75. The Defendants, while admitting oil spillage, aver that most of the spillage is caused by the errant youths of the Niger Delta who vandalise the oil pipelines and kidnap expatriates and oil workers thereby making it difficult for the government to function there. 76. Defendants deny the allegation of avoidance to pay compensation companies and compensation state that these to identified companies victims had of leakages on and many by the oil occasions pollution on account paid of court orders or out of court settlements. 77. The Defendants victims and further any aver delays in that the compensation payments are had always brought been about by paid to internal disagreement among claimants. 78. While denying the Plaintiff's allegation of neglect, Defendants aver that by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 13% of the oil revenue goes to the oil producing areas. 79. They also Minerals into that Producing NDDC among aver (Niger others liaise with pollution the Federal Area Delta Government Development Development to formulate Commission) Commission) policies ,implement the various oil mineral producing prevention and established control, tackle which with projects companies ecological OMPADEC (Oil later crystallised the responsibilities and programmes, on all matters and of environmental problems that arise from the exploration of oil mineral and advise the Federal 20|Page