Nigerian Government Conspiracy with Foreign Oil Companies:

In every country there are laid down laws on how foreign companies should operate whereby the company does not follow the rules of the game there would be penalties for such organisation breaking the rules. In as much as the multi-national oil companies which operate in Nigeria such as Shell oil, Chevron, Mobil, Texaco and British Petroleum (BP) etc, opt for business they should operate within the sphere of Nigerian constitution and that of the United Nation Charter on environment.

The UN Environmental Programme “Barcelona Convention” held in 16 February 1976 Article (2) define marine pollution as” introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine environment resulting in such deleterious effects as harm to living resources, hazards to human health, hindrance to marine activities including fishing, impairment of quality for use of sea water and reduction of amenities.”

Recently, four Nigerian farmers, backed by lobby group “Friends of the Earth”, filed a law suit against the Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell at the Court in The Hague for oil spillage and pollution on their farmland and fish pounds. Unfortunately the Nigerian government that suppose to spear-head the fight were nowhere to be found because of their bad track record of conspiracy with the foreign oil companies in taking kick backs and allowing these exploiters to destroy the environment.

People living within the creeks of Niger Delta tell stories of their nightmares and woes each time you come across any. These are people with virtually nothing to hope for; their only source of livelihood which depends on marine lives has been destroyed through insistent oil spillage.

 Same incident happened in United State on April 20 2010 the BP Oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico which was one of the worst environmental disasters in history. The US government tasked BP and compelled the company to do the clean up at the end BP were able to pay $7.8bn as compensation and had already spent some $14 billion in responding to the spill. At least the American government put up a very good fight. The Nigerian government should have follow suit but because they sold their birth right for a plate of porridge which they find it difficult to make case against their benefactors.

Since ever oil was discovered in Delta region in the late 50s “Black Gold” which supposed to be blessing and a life- changing era to the inhabitants of this region but unfortunately, reverse has been the case. Both the Military and Civilian leaders who have ruled the country one time or the other have amassed wealth through this scarce resource whilst those that this commodity is being produce from their backyard live in abject poverty.

Consequently this was what prompted Ken Saro-Wiwa into struggle. As an environmentalist, activist and playwright he was able to use the power of pen to inform the world on how the Nigerian Government has neglected this region for such a long time. But unfortunately his struggles were short-lived when the military under the regime of a tyrant, General Sani Abacha who executed him by hanging with other nine Ogonis.
 
Unfortunately since the demise of Ken perhaps there has not been any genuine leadership that represents the interest of the Niger Delta instead the emergence of different militants groups were not for the purpose of championing the course of the people but it was conceived for the purpose of few rogues to enrich themselves.   With this, the government used it as an opportunity to manipulate the so-called groups by placing some of them on government payroll which has caused much division within the so-called groups.

The issue of the Halliburton bribery scandal is still fresh in our memories which involved top government officials but unfortunately, the case was swept under the carpet and never sees the light of the day.

Corruption has become part of Nigerian daily lifestyle. According Transparency International Nigeria is believed to have lost more than $400 billion as a result of corruption between 1960 and 1999. Fresh cases of startling sleaze include the N32.8 billion police pension fund scam, the Halliburton saga, just to mention but few.

It is well argued from the school of thought that says “whatever that is gathered from the tip of a pot will ever satisfies the stomach.” Those we trusted with leadership have stripped us our wealth and left us with nothing. The spirits of dead Nigerians they’ve inflicted with poverty will continue to hunt them to their grave.  As the saying goes that, “what eats the leaf lives within the leaf.” The country’s underdevelopment was as a result of corrupt leadership. Unless the youths of Nigerian nation rise up and fight against the scourge of the evil leadership which have beclouded the country for so long there will be no eminent change at the time being.

As the sun set down to the horizon history has been made as these four heroic farmers dragged the Oil giant Shell to court; the world have heard their voices business will never be as usual again.

By...Lucas Anuforo.