There is a truism in the assertion that the Niger Delta region is home to the richest land mass in the country. Every inch of the land, the water ways, the creeks and the sea beds have buried beneath, millions of barrels of crude oil and gas waiting to be evacuated. Little wonder why the area hosts almost all the international oil companies (iocs) operating in Nigeria. In the same breadth, the region houses the wretched of the earth despite its bountiful natural resources encapsulated within its bowels. No thanks to the deliberate policy of under-development entrenched, and perpetuated by the agents of darkness, aided by the iocs. The reason for this declaration is not farfetched; given the strategic position the geo-political zone occupies in the wealth creation matrix of the nation. Not only is the region the cash cow that lays the golden egg that feeds the nation and breeds its avarice and corruption and dirty politics. It also plays a cardinal role in the political equation of the country.
It is irrebuttable that the peace and concord that once prevailed in the region was truncated by elements within and outside the region, thereby throwing up a new regime of chaos, anarchy and untidy polemics. The moment the carbon crude came into the scene. as the leading foreign exchange earner everything else became secondary. The agricultural sector which was the main stay of our economy took the back seat while carbon crude occupied the centre stage as the beautiful bride. And with it, came the policy of divide and rule which perpetually pitched brothers against brothers and communities against communities. The region was constantly at war against itself. We rarely speak with one voice. It will be recalled that crude oil was discovered in commercial quantity in the zone in 1956, specifically in Oloibiri, Ogbia Local council area of Bayelsa State. Even though we must acknowledge the fact that exploration activities had taken place in parts of present day Imo and Abia States in the 1930s. It was not until 1956 that the country became an oil producing nation.
Sixty five years down the road, the hapless people of the region who opened their doors to welcome the new economy are still counting their losses; they're wondering if oil was a blessing or a curse? How would you blame them? After all, they are yet to feel the impact of their enormous sacrifice and contribution to the common purse. In the last 30 years, over 160 million barrels of crude oil from 16,800 sites were spilled in the area. Today, 40, 000 barrels of oil are skilled every month with the effect of compounding the excruciating poverty index in the zone.
It is on record that over 100 trillion dollars have been generated from the region over the years as result of the exploration and exploitation of crude oil. While the bulk of the petrol dollar was sunk into the development of other regions other than the Niger Delta region, the region is kept abay as it watches sky scrapers sprouting like flowers in city centres across the country. In contrast the zone is made to kiss the dust as though they are not part of this union called Nigeria.
Besides the ravaging poverty level, unemployment, rural urban migration, crime and criminality, cultism and other socio-economic disequilibrium in the zone, the citizens especially those in the oil bearing communities are also saddled with environmental degradation occasioned by onshore oil exploration activities. Acid rain, deforestation, erosion, destruction of farmlands, and aquatic life are telltales that signpost the exploration of oil in the region. The resultant effect on the people is better imagined than experienced as they confront untold health hazards to man and mammals, disease and squalor and ultimately death. The life expectancy in zone is below the national average of 70 years.
It is equally sad to note that the interventionist agencies such
as Niger Delta development commission established by the federal government to
bring succour to the people are no more than a cesspool of corruption. Howbeit,
the citizens of Niger Delta are drained of live and liveliness in the midst of
plenty. It is this acute shortage of development that led patriots like Isaac
Adaka Boro, Ken Saro Wiwa and the militants to take up arm against the state.
To add insult to injury the iocs working in concert with the agencies of the federal government usually take advantage of the weak as well as impotent legal climate to continually impoverished the people. More often than not oil host communities are made to sign memorandum of understanding with iocs which are breached with impunity by both parties. Memorandum of understanding may be a legal instrument but it lacks the ingredients of a binding contract. It has no binding effect on the parties. At best, it is a preliminary step towards consummating a contract. It is a mere exercise in futility.
The federal government must as a matter of urgency establish
structures for reinstatement, restoration and remediation of the land. They should
provide pipe borne water, standard health facilities in all host communities.
The federal should exercise the political will by ordering the iocs to relocate
their headquarters to the Niger Delta region. Government must strengthen the
legal instruments to give them the needed bite. That way the oil companies will
not have recourse to accuse communities of sabotage or third party interference
with oil production. Again, government must begin the process of engaging the
services of the local oil refinery owners. Empower them if possible to do right
thing.
This is my stand
About Author:
Thomas Ebikabowei Peretu is a social
commentator and political analyst.
Follow the Academia of Ebi Robert, or subscribe for more of such educating articles.