Oil powers [Nigeria]'s economy but is killing its southern shores. Villagers here say the spillage regularly washes ashore, ruining their fishing nets and meager livelihoods...While the world is transfixed by the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, oil spills have become a part of everyday life during the 50 years that foreign firms have been pumping out Nigeria's easily refined fuel. Environmentalists estimate as much as 550 million gallons of oil have poured into the Niger River Delta during that time..."They pay when they spill in their own country..." said Samuel Ayadi, a pastor and fishermen's representative. [refers to Chevron, Eni, ExxonMobil, Nigerian National Petroleum Corp, Shell, Total]