Why has it come to this?

The issues at stake in the Niger Delta are intricately complex and even quite complicated. It measures and balances, in the most delicate manners, what constitute justice and fair-play. What benefits Niger Deltans and all Nigerians?

Many others, including this writer, commented in the past, in connection with the very active roles that our various levels of government in Nigeria, ought to have played. This, in our opinions, would have averted the current dire circumstances in which our people and country are in.

The multinational oil corporations have not played any laudable roles in the festooning crises in our Niger Delta Region, these oil companies, could have at minimum, acted as good and responsible corporate citizens of Nigeria. These companies have perennially, looked the other way in matters of oil spills, sundry matters of pollution and degradation of our environment in the Niger Delta. Conversely, these same companies are willing to uphold the even more stringent laws, rules and regulations while conducting identical activities in America and Europe.

Examples are, the care they take in the North Sea explorations and the Alaska oil prospecting activities which they handle ever so gingerly.

And in the event of spills, these companies bend over backwards to clean up. Which are followed with billions of dollars in compensations and government imposed heavy fines.

But in Nigeria these same companies are so glad to ignore the rules observe only in breaches.

Most foreign corporate wrongdoers thump their noses at us (we are as poor as field mice) they thump their noses at our national assembly and our laws. I recall not too long ago a company executive refusing to attend a national assembly hearing in Nigeria! Could he do indulge in such luxury in America and Europe? NO! There will be consequences! This is the area where Nigeria need to enact more laws, reform and strengthen existing laws and enforce all these more effectively, perhaps aggressively.

From almost any perspectives therefore, advocates or agitators for better, fairer treatment for our people, our land and all living beings in our Niger Delta Region, are agitators for a worthy causes.

I have in the past written that the plights and predicaments of our people in the Niger Delta Region ought to be vigorously addressed in the most expansive and robust manner.

These are simple and clear issues, such as the polluted lands and ruined rivers and streams, which constitutes the age-old livelihoods of our people in the Niger Delta.

Polluted rivers and streams, in clear terms, means the elimination of fishing and or farming for our rural dwellers in the Niger Delta. Nothing therefore can be worse, than taking the means of livelihoods in this region, from our people. It is as basic as the destruction of Niger Delta Region’s way of life. Fishing and farming. Added to the mix, is the reduction in life expectancy.

Our Niger Delta has become a most hazardous part of our great country to live in. There is the daily flaring of gases which has gone on endlessly for decades without end. There have been many deadlines or ultimatum set for the oil companies to discontinue this backward. But the deadlines and ultimatums continue to get extensions!

These are the complexities of issues that our Niger Delta presents it presents challenges that require delicate; And very intricate strategies as best policies for amicable resolution. As a corollary, scorched-earth and slash and burn policies are the worst possible policies in the circumstances

How much in investment dollars would it take to provide basic amenities, such as medical clinics, a few good primary and secondary schools? Compare that with the agonizingly high losses and tolls it has taken on all concerned? Losses incurred by our Niger Delta people, the governments and the recalcitrant companies etc. Imagine the high losses in terms of interrupted productions which results from violent sabotages by the militants. Imagine the effects on all concerned; the effects on the individuals and society at large, the kidnappings and hostage takings!

The thing is, these same corporations maintain company towns, sponsor cultural activities and adopt roads in America and Europe, just as they spent so much on advertising. They seek to do the exact opposite in Nigeria and other developing countries. These companies even resist auditing and best business practices, such as the Extractive International Protocol. Oil is a major earner for government and it continues to occupy very important but delicate partnership with the powerful multinational oil companies. These multinational corporations are richer than both the Nigerian government and the government of their home countries.

Despite the worthiness of the Niger Delta cause; I however draw a line in the sand regarding approaches, methods and tactics.

The current strategy which advocates gratuitous violence, for the sake of violence, is completely unacceptable to all reasonable persons. I abhor violence. I part ways with anyone who even for a moment, subscribes to violence as means of attaining justice, fairness and better treatment for our deprived people in the Niger Delta.

In expressing my abhorrence to the sight and sounds emanating from the mangrove swamps in which the weapons wielding militant-kidnapper-hostage-takers have choreographed their appearances appearing to have orchestrated every appearance with caches of weapons intended only to intimidate the Nigerian military and law enforcement agencies.

Four questions comes to my mind are, what is the source of the purchase money for all these state of the art weapons? How did these militant bypass customs, police and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria to import or receive these weapons? Who is responsible for weapons procurements for these militants?

Are we witnessing an admixture of apathy, inefficiency & corruption in Nigeria? Are these militants merely sophisticated and manipulative illegal bunkering actors and their agents? Is there foreign involvement? What unsearchable diplomatic bags bring in these sophisticated weapons? Is illegal bunkering the real issue that we miss?

Some have argued that the illegal bunkered oil is what pays for the weapons, brought in by sea, also through the foreign participants in the illegal bunkering. Hence attempts to stamp out illegal bunkering saw to the escalation of violence by the militants? Illegal bunkering remains illegal. Militants and some other persons seem to defend it with some twisted logic as to who the true owners of the hydro-carbon is.

Are these just a matter of personal greed gone too far? Are we witnessing the result of corruption by retired military men and or serving military men?

The Nigerian Navy could not have allowed the crossing into our territorial waters with such very sophisticated weapons. The Nigerian Police would not permit such treachery either. Nigerian Customs Service will never consent to clearing of such dangerous weapons for individuals who are not members of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air-Force or any of our Military Intelligence Agencies. But who did then? How was it possible?

Troubling questions lead to more troubling questions! What manner of persons and what level of greed permit any Nigerian to allow the importation of grenade launcher and shoulder-fire missiles into Nigeria? It would look as if the Niger Delta Militants are having the maximum effects because they display intimidating arsenal and armada of sophisticated weaponry. More lethal weapons than Nigerian Armed Forces combined?

Why did it have to get to this? Some have argued that the government has been deaf to advocacies and agitations hence the militants upped the ante. May be so, may be so.

Clearly, the government of President Obasanjo has been more forthcoming than any other Nigerian federal government as it was his administration which engineered the highest revenue allocations to oil producing states, based on the derivation principle. The current spate and intensity of the Niger Delta crises cannot be seen as supportive of President Obasanjo’s previous efforts and bettering the situations and dire circumstances in our Niger Delta’s dirt- poor-as-field-mice conditions, no apologies to an ex-hostage/captive.

The truth and fact of the matter is that President Obasanjo’s government inherited the myriad challenges in our Niger Delta, these challenges have existed and persisted since the discovery of hydro-carbon fuels in Nigeria several decades ago. It is disingenuous to seek to blame President Obasanjo for all trails of our people, despite his best effort to ameliorate such conditions in their enormities and cascading effects on our people.

Advocates, agitators and the militants must avoid injuries and loss of life of those who they keep in captivities. And prodigal-like attitudes must be avoided. Nigeria and all the resources in all the subdivisions of Nigeria belong to all of us!

Advocates, agitators and militants who seek the betterment of our people must cease and desist from words, pronouncements and actions that are bound to cause more tension than Nigeria can resolve peacefully. The militants have publicly stated that they are not interested in the disintegration of Nigeria. But they are working so hard doing just that, even if unwittingly. Militants are blowing things up on a daily basis, while promising escalations of violence. These are actions or environment encourages investments and tourism in Nigeria. These are not actions that encourage peace and stability. These are actions that can quite easily escalate and culminate into full-scale war and disintegration.

Our government on its part must act reasonably and responsibly. It is a delicate balancing act. The government should not be too kind to the hostage takers, lest it encourages copy-cats and anarchy. No responsible government should reward kidnappers, or hostage takers. And yet, the government must be magnanimous as well. Ensuring the life and liberty of hostages, negotiate the real issue, while enforcing the law or keeping an eye on doing so soon after.

Paul I. Adujie can be reached at Lawcareer@msn.com

Robot  # 1 | 22.03.2006 10:48

It is profoundly sad and awful, that hostage-takings and kidnappings are now frequently mentioned in the same sentence with Nigeria. It never used to be this way with us. Why has it come to this? The issues at stake in the Niger Delta are intricately complex and even quite complicated. It measures and balances, in the most delicate manners, what constitute justice and fair-play. What benefits Niger Deltans and all Nigerians?Many others, including this writer, commented in the past, in connection with the very active roles that our various levels of government in...Read the full article.

EezeeBee  # 2 | 22.03.2006 13:05

Mr. Adujie, It is generous of you to spare time from your busy schedule to cast some attention to the situation in Nigeria's Niger Delta; indeed, you ask many questions and many assertions, some that I consider worthy of challenge and debate. It is profoundly sad and awful, that hostage-takings and kidnappings are now frequently mentioned in the same sentence with Nigeria. It never used to be this way with us. (a) That you are or were unaware that an entire populace has essentially been held hostage within the confines of Nigeria may be news to you, but assuredly, those in a modern form of indentured bondage in the Niger Delta are well aware of their plight. ... what constitutes justice and fair-play. What benefits Niger Deltans and all Nigerians? (b) If Niger Deltans and their real issues garnered the same levels of attention, finance and support as others in the Nigerian construct then there would be no issue! I think the corrolary to your questions would be more appropriate: What benefits to all Nigerians should be accessible to Niger Deltans? I note your indictment of multinational oil corporations and while I can accept your reasoning, they are only of secondary concern to me as there is NOTHING they could do wrong in the Niger Delta if they weren't PERMITTED to do so by the Nigerian Government. This is not to say that mistakes don't happen or oil spills aren't a part of the petroleum production process; only that proper CONSEQUENCES imposed on these corporate citizens would have ensured that higher levels of quality control and care to prevent said accidents, as well as more involved efforts to clean up after the unfortunate incidents. But in Nigeria these same companies are so glad to ignore the rules observe only in breaches. (c) The multinationals can continue to treat people in their areas of operation the way they do because their own Federal Government treats them thus! They thumb their noses at us, at the National Assembly, at the Senate, at Judicial Rulings because the Federal Government leads the way in such actions. It is how you treat your wife/husband that your family will treat them. When you hold your wife in high esteem, who born your siblings to mistreat them? Nigeria may or may not have sufficient laws; rather than enacting new laws, how about enforcing the existing ones? From almost any perspectives therefore, advocates or agitators for better, fairer treatment for our people, our land and all living beings in our Niger Delta Region, are agitators for a worthy causes. Added to the mix, is the reduction in life expectancy. (d) Apart from the afore-mentioned environmental pollution, would you be willing to address and acknowledge the reduced life expectancy that results from subjecting human bodies to bullets and burns? Despite the worthiness of the Niger Delta cause; I however draw a line in the sand regarding approaches, methods and tactics. (e) Fair enough; why might I ask? The current strategy which advocates gratuitous violence, for the sake of violence, is completely unacceptable to all reasonable persons. I abhor violence. I part ways with anyone who even for a moment, subscribes to violence as means of attaining justice, fairness and better treatment for our deprived people in the Niger Delta. (f) Have you begun to part ways with the Nigerian Government? No group, person, or body is a greater purveyor of the VIOLENCE you claim to abhor than the Federal Government of Nigeria (with the collusion of the multinational companies, and various local 'authorities' like LGA heads, Governors etc.) However, it is the Federal Government that maintains a militarization policy throughout the Niger Delta, sustaining a sense of insecurity AS WELL AS maintaining environmentally unfriendly policies by proxy through the activities of it's 'partners', the multi nationals. Four questions comes to my mind are, what is the source of the purchase money for all these state of the art weapons? How did these militant bypass customs, police and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria to import or receive these weapons? Who is responsible for weapons procurements for these militants? Are we witnessing an admixture of apathy, inefficiency & corruption in Nigeria? Are these militants merely sophisticated and manipulative illegal bunkering actors and their agents? Is there foreign involvement? What unsearchable diplomatic bags bring in these sophisticated weapons? Is illegal bunkering the real issue that we miss? The above (more than four) questions are thought-provoking indeed. However they ALL fall under one catch-all question: What circumstances have been sustained by Federal authorities that could POSSIBLY have led to all the ones you query? I have no way of providing answers to your questions; I have one answer to the catch-all (which you have stated yourself earlier): Injustice to the people and lands of the Niger Delta has provided fertile conditions for the circumstances your explore with your series of questions. ...Illegal bunkering remains illegal. (f) A completely trite parrotting of reports by the Federal Government. Just because the government said they were attacking 'illegal bunkerers' shouldn't mean that anyone of modest intelligence should swallow that line. ...some twisted logic as to who the true owners of the hydro-carbon is. (g) Mr. Adujie, kindly untwist the logic: who is the true owner of the hydro-carbon? Why did it have to get to this? Some have argued that the government has been deaf to advocacies and agitations hence the militants upped the ante. May be so, may be so. (h) May be so? MAY BE SO? Are you still wondering? Clearly, the government of President Obasanjo has been more forthcoming than any other Nigerian federal government as it was his administration which engineered the highest revenue allocations to oil producing states, based on the derivation principle. The current spate and intensity of the Niger Delta crises cannot be seen as supportive of President Obasanjo’s previous efforts and bettering the situations and dire circumstances in our Niger Delta’s dirt- poor-as-field-mice conditions, no apologies to an ex-hostage/captive. (j) It was also during Obasanjo's first coming that the Land Use Decree was enacted so I'm not impressed! The truth and fact of the matter is that President Obasanjo’s government inherited the myriad challenges in our Niger Delta, these challenges have existed and persisted since the discovery of hydro-carbon fuels in Nigeria several decades ago. It is disingenuous to seek to blame President Obasanjo for all trails of our people, despite his best effort to ameliorate such conditions in their enormities and cascading effects on our people. (k) President Obasanjo's government also inherited the huge revenues accruing from the hydro-carbon fuels so that argument too is a straw man. Advocates, agitators and the militants must avoid injuries and loss of life of those who they keep in captivities... Nigeria and all the resources in all the subdivisions of Nigeria belong to all of us! (l) I certainly agree that injuries as well as any loss of life of the hostages must be avoided. Let us address the same fervor in your next article to preventing injuries and losses of life to the Niger Deltans. If I accept your declaration that ...all the resources in all ... Nigeria belong to all of us!, do you honestly believe the people of the Niger Delta have been included in the 'all'? Has ANY central government (with the collusion of minor locals) EVER truly had the WILL to improve the lives of Niger Deltans? (I am limiting this discourse to Niger Deltans to follow your lead; Of course these questions are appropriate for just about any group of people in Nigeria!) Advocates, agitators and militants who seek the betterment of our people must cease and desist from words, pronouncements and actions that are bound to cause more tension than Nigeria can resolve peacefully. The militants have publicly stated that they are not interested in the disintegration of Nigeria. But they are working so hard doing just that, even if unwittingly. Militants are blowing things up on a daily basis, while promising escalations of violence. These are actions or environment encourages investments and tourism in Nigeria. These are not actions that encourage peace and stability. These are actions that can quite easily escalate and culminate into full-scale war and disintegration. (m) How does a demand for resource ownership translate into a break up of Nigeria? Is the central government afraid that those in the Niger Delta will behave just like they have behaved for over 45 years? Are they afraid of being abandoned to their own devices once they no longer have their grasping straws sipping the Niger Delta's oil? Is there a tacit admission that the way successive central governments have behaved in Nigeria till date is far from ideal for lives and prospects of the Niger Delta? Hmmm... Speaking of which, is the Niger Delta, as destoyed as it is not part of the areas that ought to sustain and welcome tourism? Are the actions of the multinationals with the COLLUSION of the Central Federal Government encouraging the kinds of 'investments' you seek in the Niger Delta? Or is that an area that should just be raped? Our government on its part must act reasonably and responsibly. It is a delicate balancing act. The government should not be too kind to the hostage takers, lest it encourages copy-cats and anarchy. No responsible government should reward kidnappers, or hostage takers. And yet, the government must be magnanimous as well. Ensuring the life and liberty of hostages, negotiate the real issue, while enforcing the law or keeping an eye on doing so soon after. (n) Since you are able to speak about what 'any responsible government' should NOT do, are you able to propose what 'any responsible government' SHOULD do in the Niger Delta (and elsewhere)?

I Love Nigeria  # 3 | 22.03.2006 13:58

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=pollution+degradation+environment+Niger+Delta+development+good+corporate+citizenship+responsibility+Adujie&btnG=Google+Search http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=pollution+degradation+environment+Niger+Delta+development+Adujie&btnG=Google+Search http://www.neiti.org/Obasanjo_Speech.pdf Mr. Bozimo, With due respect, I must inform you that I have severally commented on very important matters of our Niger Delta (It is true that I am very busy), but that has not essentially blindsided me or deprived from paying adequate attentions to these perennial issues as your comment tend to suggest/portray. Multinational corporations have been known not to abide by the EITI protocol when it comes to Nigeria. These multinationals are also known to have resisted auditing... or even seek to unconstitutionally interfere in the internal affairs of certain countries... in order to maintain their oil access. I feel as if you have some assumptions or preconceived notions about my feelings in connection with the high stake issues in Niger Delta and the import and magnitude of these issues! I therefore do not accept your tongue-in-cheek “glad you could join us” sorts of opening! My expressed opinions on matters relating to our people in Niger Delta are a matter of public record. And thanks to the internet, practically anyone with access can do a search with key words such as environmental degradations, pollution, resource control, fish ponds, farmlands etc with Adujie in any search engine, and you will find quite a stash! I have not been sitting on the fence, Mr. Bozimo, sir. As for the many questions that you have raised regarding my current article, I will attempt to answer them. But I must add that you and I are not in any disagreement to a substantial degree…except as to approach, methods or tactics perhaps. A responsible and reasonable government should develop Niger Delta, the proverbial chicken that lays the golden egg! And that has been the whys of increase revenue allocations, MOSOP and NDDC etc Should more be done? Oh, of course yes!

CIkpatt  # 4 | 22.03.2006 14:50

ILN: Yours below convinces me that you don't really understand what is going on and why we are having "violence" in the NDelta: A responsible and reasonable government should develop Niger Delta, the proverbial chicken that lays the golden egg! And that has been the whys of increase revenue allocations, MOSOP and NDDC etc Should more be done? Oh, of course yes! A responsible and reasonable government should NOT develop Niger Delta. Niger Deltans should develop themselves and overall economy having been empowered with rights to own resources that rightly belong to them. Only taxes are what the feds should take from the region for the development of all parts of the federation. Your mindset that preaches development by the Federal Government is exactly the bane against stability and economic prosperity in Nigeria. You can increase derivation revenue to the max and still have hostages taken and violence erupting as it is today. It is laughable that you are branding the NDDC as an agent of development. Problem is that you haven't gone to the NDelta to see what (?) NDDC is doing and that it is simply OMPADEC rechristened. Eezee has properly responded to your article. There comes a time in a man's life when apple shining is unnecessary; I believe you are have stepped into that period. So, put on your thinking cap...you are a smart man...and suggest to your "infallible" heroes that indeed there are better ways to go about things. Obasanjo's government has been a laughing stock since foreign nationals have been taken hostages (I do not support hostage taking of foreigners when Obasanjo and his men are the local culprits and roaming free). What do you now say about US and UK pushing Nigeria aside to now negotiate for release of hostages? It means Nigeria has no clue, no knowledge, no power, no credibility, no means whatsoever and no hope of ever being able to handle escalating conflict in the Niger Delta as long as OBJ remains President.

I Love Nigeria  # 5 | 22.03.2006 15:02

Mr. CIkpatt, I am in support of empowering all Nigerians, taxes and all. But the current state of affairs, at least economically, is that the central government is the MAJOR engine or impetus for national development. Be it in Bomadi/Burutu or Ahoada. Be it Mbaise/Ikeduru or Dawakintofa/Sabongari Be it in Okitipupa/Ogbomosho

I Love Nigeria  # 6 | 22.03.2006 15:16

Shell Shocked: People of the Niger Delta fight back against violence and corruption By Hillary Bain Lindsay Nothing has changed," says Patterson Ogon, founding director of the Ijaw Council for Human Rights in the Niger Delta. "Since 1995 when Ken Saro-Wiwa was hung, < oil multinational Shell's> public relations and glossy reports, seem to indicate that they're doing so much in the Niger Delta. But we are still waiting to see any practical change." Women protest Shell's activities in the Niger Delta Over a decade has past since Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists were killed by the Nigerian government. Saro-Wiwa led a non-violent struggle against Royal Dutch Shell and other oil multinationals whose operations in the Niger Delta were devastating the environment and livelihoods of local people. In a statement made to the court before his verdict, Saro-Wiwa predicted that the end of the struggle was near, but warned, "Whether the peaceful ways I have favoured will prevail depends on what the oppressor decides, what signals it sends out to the waiting public." Ten years later, the Niger Delta is once again making international headlines. The struggle remains the same but the tactics have changed. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is a well armed, well organized group of youth that aim to localize control of the Niger Delta's oil wealth and is demanding compensation for communities environmentally devastated by oil operations. MEND is targeting the oil multinationals that export 2.5 million barrels of oil from the region each day, specifically Shell which is responsible for nearly half of those exports. The group kidnapped four foreign oil workers on January 11th and nine more on February 18th. MEND is threatening to grind oil exports from Nigeria to a halt. The group has already shut down nearly one fifth of the country's oil production, a significant feat considering Nigeria is the eighth largest oil exporter in the world. The " violent attacks by militants in the Niger Delta" is having an effect on oil prices noted one New York Times article published on February 20th. The "violent attacks" referred to in the article are the targeting of oil infrastructure in the region, including pipelines and loading platforms. Ten out of the thirteen hostages taken have been released unharmed and MEND has publicly stated that it has no intention of killing hostages. "The hostages are being treated as well as we possibly can," read an email statement MEND released on January 20th, "But they must live under the same conditions we have been subjected to for the last 48 years." These conditions, argues Ogon, are a different kind of violence imposed daily on the people of the Niger Delta. The region's environment has been devastated by oil operations, "It has affected agricultural and fishing yields," he says. "When people can no longer depend on fishing and farming, when they can no longer depend on the land, when they can no longer depend on the rivers and creeks that have fed them and fed them and fed them and their fathers and grandfathers... What do you expect them to do?" he asks. "We are talking about the security of the future." "People feel like they are pushed against a wall," explains Annie Brisibe, founding Director of the Niger Delta Women for Justice. Though she does not condone the hostage taking, she is not surprised by MEND's tactics. "It's come out of frustration, anger, and complete marginalization," she says from her home in the United States where she is now living. "This has created a lot of anger in the young men and women of the Niger Delta...People are forced into doing things that they're not supposed to do because of poverty." Despite the region's oil wealth, seventy percent of people living in the Niger Delta survive on less than $1 US a day. There have been many attempts for a non-violent resolution to the unrest in the Niger Delta. Most recently, Ijaw communities took Shell to court. "They wanted to take a judicial path," explains Ogon. Nigeria's public assembly had previously passed a resolution compelling Shell to pay 1.5 billion for ecological damage. The case went to court after Shell refused to pay. One of MEND's central demands is that Shell pay the 1.5 billion. In an email statement released on January 20th, MEND stated, "This money is to be paid directly to the affected communities and we ask no part of it. Shell must pay this sum or in the alternative, provide a firm commitment of its desire to settle this claim immediately. " At the end of February, the federal high court in Nigeria ordered Shell to pay the 1.5 billion to communities in the Niger Delta for damage caused to their environment by Shell's activities. Shell is appealing the decision. Although MEND's tactics have caught international attention, their demands are nothing new says Brisibe, and neither is the government's reaction. "Retaliation is always the same," she says. "Always with force." Two weeks after the first four hostages taken by MEND were released, Nigerian military helicopters attacked what the government says were barges used for smuggling oil. MEND accused the military's "Operation Restore Hope" of targeting civilians, however, and accused Shell of providing the airstrip as the staging post for the helicopter attack. This would not surprise Brisibe who says the Nigerian military provides Shell with security. "The government has a better relationship with the multinational corporations than it has with its own citizens," she says. "Shell provides the guns and the helicopters and the pay and the government provides the military." Ogon reports that the government response to MEND has had a far graver impact on communities than MEND itself. "It's worse when federal troops invade local communities and subject innocent people to all forms of harassment and extrajudicial killings. It has made it really difficult for local people who depend on fishing and farming to go about their normal business." According to a 2005 report released by Amnesty International, this kind of government response is not unusual. " Government security forces continue to kill people in the Niger Delta with impunity. Excessive force is used to protect the oil industry and restore law and order - and the human rights of communities are regularly violated." Confronting the impacts of oil multinationals in the region will be almost impossible with a corrupt government that is benefiting from the oil wealth says Brisibe. "The international community needs to pressure the government," she says. "All we're asking for is good governance. A government that respects human rights and eradicates corruption." That said, she continues, the international community is not always much better. "The truth is the international community has a double standard when it comes to Nigeria. If you put pressure on Shell it will have to conform to international standards, which will decrease their profits. Is the international community ready to do this?" In the meantime says Ogon, Shell is doing everything it can to project a facade of corporate responsibility to the international community. A recent posting on Shell Nigeria website says that the company "is concerned about the likely effects on the environment of the oil spills resulting from the recent attacks on its pipelines and manifolds...As soon as it is safe to do so, we will commence immediate assessment of the environmental impact of such attacks and take necessary steps to clean up the affected areas." Ogon is confident that Shell's glossy pamphlets and token development projects can no longer fool the people of the Niger Delta. "The level of understanding and coordination in the communities give me hope," he says. "They are saying 'We cannot let this go on.' They're not sitting down and allowing it to go on." 2006 The Dominion

Abraxas  # 7 | 22.03.2006 19:43

Dear Mr. Paul Adujie (Esq.) Why do you think that the multinational oil companies operating in Nigeria have not played any effective roles in the festering crisis in the Niger Delta Region? Why have those oil companies not acted as responsible corporate citizens of Nigeria, but instead, have repeatedly looked the other way in matters concerning environmental degredation in the Niger Delta region? Why do most foreign corporate culprits thump their noses at Nigerians, at the Nigerian legislature, and Nigerian laws? Why has it suddenly dawned on you that advocates or agitators for better treatment for the people of the Niger Delta region are agitators for a worthy cause? Why, suddenly, are the scorched-earth theory and the slash-and-burn policies of the Federal Government of General Olu Obasanjo in the Niger Delta region the worst possible policies in the circumstances? The simple answer to all of the above is: BAD GOVERNANCE: after all, if I may ask, who the hell is the current Minister of Petroleum Resources, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? Clearly, General Olusegun Aremu Mathew Obasanjo has been less than transparent about the Niger Delta Question. As you very well know, His Excellency, General Mathew Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo has been the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources and sole administrator of NNPC since 29 May 1999. Paradoxically, General Aremu Olusegun Mathew Obasanjo inherited a myriad challenges in the Niger Delta, incidentally, all of which were created by his very own obnoxious Land Use Decree of 1979, pre-Oasanjo Farms Ltd, Otta. It is therefore completely fatuous, absolutely devious, and downright inane to seek to blame anyone else other than General Olusegun Mathew Aremu Obasanjo for all the mess in the Niger Delta region today, given his criminal negligence, callous indifference, impudent nonchalance, and indeed, blatant reluctance to ameliorate such excruciating conditions as you have, yourself, found out to be the norm in the Niger Delta region. I hope this has shed some useful light on your foggy perception and pseudo-analysis of the problems of the Niger Delta region under General Obasanjo’s watch. Cheerio! Don Juan Carlos Abraxas (III)

I Love Nigeria  # 8 | 22.03.2006 20:59

Signor Don Juan Carlos Abraxas (III) If you would be kind enough to read the article with this link below: http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/content/view/2642/55/ You may decipher the double standards with which globalization is replete. Many, if not most multinationals selectively obey laws of developing countries and that attitude is not new, it is neither unique to or peculiar to the Niger Delta situation in Nigeria. Minister Ezekwesili has been peppering the oil companies in Nigeria with the need to obey our laws. So has Minister Okonjo-Iweala and others. Oil companies in Nigeria have been known to resist Extractive Protocols of (EITI) Why don't you do a fact-check and report here..... whether I am mistating these facts... they are not localized to our situation in Nigeria.

Abraxas  # 9 | 23.03.2006 02:13

Dear Mr. Paul Agujie (alias Mr. I Love Nigeria), Please enlighten us, non-Aso Rockers: Is it the job of the Honourable Minister of SOLID Mineral Resourses, or that of the Honourable Minister of FINANCE to supervise the activities of oil companies in Nigeria? No: It is the responsibility of the Honourable Minister of PETROLEUM Resources, His Imperial Majesty, Mr. Know It All, General Okikiolakan Olusegun Obasanjo (The Great). Of course, like every sane Nigerian knows, oil companies in Nigeria, who, incidentally, are JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS of the Federal Government of Nigeria, have been known to resist the basic requirements and protocols of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative: I do not need to do a fact-check. So, why has the Honourable Minister of PETROLEUM Resources, His Imperial Highness, General Okikiolakan Obasanjo not confronted those oil companies accordingly since his coronation in 29 May 1999? The answer, my friend, like you know very well, is simple: BAD GOVERNANCE, gross CORRUPTION, and crass INDIFFERENCE to the plight of the victims of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region. Period! Thank you very much. Don Juan Carlos Abraxas (III)

I Love Nigeria  # 10 | 24.03.2006 11:42

Hostages: I'm now handicapped, laments Ibori —Clark blasts US, UK on direct deal with militants By Emma Amaize & Simon Ebegbulem Friday, March 24, 2006 WARRI — GOVERNOR James Ibori of Delta State says he is handicapped by the refusal of Niger Delta militants to release the three hostages they are holding in the creeks, pointing out that unless they are freed, he will not have the strength to continue with the struggle. Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, also speaking, yesterday, on the non-release of the hostages deplored the decision of the British and US governments to hold direct negotiation with the militants on the release of their citizens. Chief Clark also said the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) which abducted the oil workers had briefed him on the situation. Governor Ibori spoke when he received five Ministers from the Niger Delta who paid him a solidarity visit at the Governor’s Office Annex in Warri over the problem in the region. The ministers were Prof. Turner Isoun (Science and Technology); Alowei Broderick Bozimo (Police Affairs); Dr. Roland Oritsejafor (Defence); Dr. Edmund Daukoru (Petroleum); and Dr Precious Sekibo (Transport). He said: “I have said over this past three weeks to these our younger brothers (militants) that unless these hostages are released, I cannot be strengthened to continue with the struggle with them. I am handicapped. “In fact, he (Obasanjo) understands it very well. He knows what needs to be done. He is prepared to assist us in doing this but we cannot do it except these hostages are released. That is the point I have been making. “Again, if we carry on the way we are carrying on now, we seem to be losing sympathy and that is very costly indeed. We all know the issues, the country knows where we are, what we are talking about and they are prepared to assist us to achieve what we need to achieve. The international community is stretching their hands of fellowship to assist. If we don’t stop this, I don’t see how far we can go. “The good thing is that we are getting some response and you know how it is. All of us have been engaged in this at one point or the other. Now you have people who are running around the whole place telling you all sorts of stories, not only complicating the matter but causing diversion and digression on the part of the success of this operation. But the good thing is that we are getting some good result. “Yesterday (Wednesday), I was able to confirm that the head count is going on well in Gbaramatu Kingdom, which is a very good thing. I was getting worried that if this continues into the census, we might have another issue. But that issue has been taken out of the table." Prof Isoun who led the team said: “We came to register our support and solidarity to the governor. We want to make it clear from the start that we are not here for negotiation with any militant, which is not the purpose. The purpose is that we want it to be on record that we are together. The problems of Niger Delta are no longer problems of the Niger Delta and the South-South region only. ” Clark slams US, UK Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday, carpeted the British and American governments for negotiating directly the release of the three foreign oil workers— two Americans and one Briton— kidnapped and held hostage by militants in the Niger Delta for the past 34 days with a group of Ijaw youths. Chief Clark who spoke to Vanguard at his Warri residence said it was “undiplomatic and offensive” for the British and American governments to enter such talks with youths when the elders and leaders of Ijaw nation had met and made some pronouncements on the matter regarding the release. He said he was particularly disappointed that the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Gozney, who visited him at his Kiagbodo country home when he arrived Nigeria would involve himself in such a mission that tended to undermine the sovereignty of Nigeria. His words: “I understand the position of the United States and Britain but honestly I do not think it is in the place of US and UK to directly intervene when the Federal Government is there to discuss the release of the hostages with any group in the country. “Nigeria is not America or Britain. It is a foreign country and whatever negotiations to be done should be done by the Federal Government through the state government and the leaders of the area." ....Says MEND leader briefs him Chief Clark also said the leadership of MEND called him on phone and briefed him on why the three hostages have not been released. “I am in direct contact with the hostage takers. The leader of the MEND called me early this morning (yesterday) and after briefing me on the situation, I pleaded that they should release the remaining three hostages in accordance with the decision of the Ijaw elders and leaders at Yenagoa,” he said, adding that the MEND leader told him that the three hostages were healthy.

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