On the 9th of March 2022, the Health of Mother Earth Foundation and We the People invited Niger Delta communities and civil society activists to a one-day conversation on the recently approved Nigerian Petroleum Industry Act. The event which held at the Ken Saro Wiwa Centre in Port Harcourt, also provided an open space to discuss recent happenings around divestments, where the biggest oil companies in the Niger Delta are selling off their assets and going farther offshore.
In his opening presentation, Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation stated that from the start, the business of oil extraction operated as a mix of corporate greed and state backed repression. While it is important that people living in locations where investors, governments or institutions carry out projects are consulted, in the Niger Delta, this has never been the case. The free, prior and informed consent of the people have never been sought or received. These relations of production have remained largely the same from pre-colonial to colonial and present neo-colonial times.
Even in decisions regarding investments, development, or even infrastructural projects, there is wilful neglect and refusal to consult or engage the people in decision making processes. Projects are often thrown at communities even when they are not the priority needs of the people. Little wonder that the projects get abandoned during construction or are left to rot after completion.
All efforts to placate and assuage the massive harms inflicted on the Niger Delta has been carried out through various means including oil company driven Memoranda of Understanding with communities, and various government interventions through agencies such as Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB) established in 1961, the Niger Delta Basin and Rural Development Authority (NDBRDA) established in 1976, the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) established in 1992, the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) in 1995, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) established in 2000 and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs created in 2008. These bandages have only sought to cover up festering wounds, without dealing with the fundamental ailments that over six decades of disastrous exploitation has wrought. And they have mostly failed.
With over 1,481 wells, 275 flow stations, over 7,000 kilometres length of oil/gas pipelines and over 120 gas flare furnaces, the Niger Delta is an ecological bomb and one of the most polluted places in the world. Nnimmo Bassey called on the people of the region to rise and demand ecological justice.
In his presentation, Ken Henshaw of We the People reflected on Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act and the new frenzied divestment moves by oil companies. According to him, while the PIA establishes a Host Communities development framework to transfer benefits to communities, it doesn’t however allow communities any decent participation in managing the fund, or even determining who runs the trust. Oil companies are given overriding powers to manage the 3% of operational costs contributed to the trust in any manner they deem appropriate; as well as determine which communities qualify to be ‘hosts’. Similarly, the managers of the funds are not even required by the PIA to be from the host communities.
In an outrageous demonstration of the criminalization of communities, the PIA says;
“Where in any year, an act of vandalism, sabotage or other civil unrest occurs that causes damage to petroleum and designated facilities or disrupts production activities within the host community, the community shall forfeit its entitlement to the extent of the cost of repairs of the damage that resulted from the activity with respect to the provisions of this Act within that financial year”
This provision stems directly from the erroneous view which has been peddled by oil companies that communities are responsible for sabotage on pipelines and oil theft. However, these view has been debunked by the NNPC and even the United Nations Environment Programme. Both blame equipment failure for majority of spills. Criminalizing oil producing communities in this regard is unfortunate and a smokescreen to shield oil companies from responsibility for the ongoing ecocide in the region. This provision will most likely result in consistent denial of benefits which would in turn engender regular conflicts.
On gas flaring, while the PIA makes it illegal, it nonetheless creates a series of exemptions which ensures that the same gas flare regime continues literarily unchecked, and empowers the government to give licenses to oil companies to flare. The PIA also does not state a definite date for ending gas flaring. Given the health and environmental challenges associated with gas flaring, this is an unfortunately onslaught on the ecology and health of the people of the region.
Surprisingly, fines for gas flaring will not directly benefit communities that suffer the impacts. While sections 52 and 104 says that fines for flaring will be used for environmental and health remediation, it prescribes that such payments be made not to the host communities, but to an agency it establishes called the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund. In actual fact, this Agency has no mandate or function related to environmental remediation. Evidently, the Act considers gas flaring a waste of economic resources which should be paid for, and not an abuse which is impacting the climate, the health and livelihoods of communities.
One of the key issues in the PIA is the framework for the utilization 30% of NNPC profits for oil exploration in so-called frontier basins. While the Act expects the NNPC to become a profit-making enterprise, it already dedicates a hefty chunk of its expected profit into the search for additional crude oil. The fact that public resources have to be spent in this effort is indicative that oil companies around the world do not consider this a worthwhile investment. Rather than spend so much of the expected profits of NNPC on exploring for oil in unlikely places, we reckon that the government considers investing the same percentage of NNPC profits in generating clean and affordable energy for Nigerians, or even supporting an environmental remediation fund aimed at remediating years of pollution, livelihood loses and health impacts of oil extraction.
Sadly, it is noteworthy that the entire PIA expresses no intention for moving Nigerian away from dependence on fossils. At a time when the world is moving away from crude oil, the PIA plans to make more investments in that regard. This indicates that the government is not keeping in tandem with global trends and unperturbed by concerns of global warming and climate change. Ironically, Nigeria is emerging as one of the most impacted countries globally by the effects of climate change. The shrunken Lake Chad, increased desertification and the regular floods around the Atlantic coast are ready evidences. That the PIA pays no heed to issues of climate change, despite Nigeria’s NDCs, and aims to plunge the country further into fossil extraction is a major source of concern.
The meeting also expressed concern over the emerging shifts from oil and the fate of oil producing communities.
After over 70 years of oil extraction and the devastating impacts it has had on oil producing communities, there are indications that the most complicit oil companies are leaving. And new pressures are emerging from their divestment. The biggest multinational player in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, and also the most culpable in several years of oil pollution and rights abuses, Shell plans to divest its entire Nigeria joint venture portfolio and make a ‘clean break from Niger Delta assets’. In 2022, Nigerian independent oil and gas company, Seplat Energy Plc informed the public through a statement that it had acquired ExxonMobil’s Nigerian shallow water business.
As companies divest, local players take over oil assets and immediately deny responsibility for historical damages. For oil producing and impacted communities, divestment means more remote possibilities of holding corporations accountable for pollution, as well as fewer economic opportunities for communities. As companies divest, the Nigerian government keeps failing to establishing frameworks or policies for addressing community concerns. According to the head of NNPC, ‘will ensure that Nigeria’s National strategic interest is safeguarded, by developing a Comprehensive Divestment Policy’. No such plan has been put in place.
For the ecologically devastated communities of the Niger Delta, no hurried divestment by transnational oil companies will be tolerated without restoration of their environment and livelihoods. For them, the definition of just transition has to include repairing the damage occasioned by oil pollution, an audit of the health of the people and a plan to respond to the threats posed by climate change. A just transition must also provide justice for the countless victims of oil company inspired and state sanctioned abuses, and reparations to the people of the Niger Delta for decades of expropriation. Anything short of these is injustice.
I am typically to blogging and i really recognize your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your site and preserve checking for brand new information.
To the wtp.ngo admin, Great content!
Hi wtp.ngo webmaster, Thanks for the well-researched and well-written post!
Hello wtp.ngo admin, You always provide helpful diagrams and illustrations.
Hello wtp.ngo owner, Good job!
Hello wtp.ngo administrator, You always provide great resources and references.
Hello wtp.ngo admin, Your posts are always well-referenced and credible.
Hi wtp.ngo admin, Your posts are always well-written and easy to understand.
To the wtp.ngo webmaster, You always provide great resources and references.
Hello wtp.ngo webmaster, Thanks for the well-organized post!
Hi wtp.ngo webmaster, Your posts are always well-written and engaging.
To the wtp.ngo owner, Thanks for the comprehensive post!
To the wtp.ngo owner, Your posts are always a great read.
Hi wtp.ngo administrator, Your posts are always informative and up-to-date.
Hello wtp.ngo admin, Thanks for the well-structured and well-presented post!
Hello wtp.ngo webmaster, Your posts are always well researched and well written.
Hello wtp.ngo webmaster, You always provide in-depth analysis and understanding.
Hi wtp.ngo admin, Thanks for the well written post!
To the wtp.ngo owner, Your posts are always a great source of information.
Dear wtp.ngo admin, Your posts are always well-supported by research and data.
Hi wtp.ngo webmaster, Your posts are always well-balanced and objective.
Hi wtp.ngo webmaster, Great content!
Hello wtp.ngo webmaster, Well done!
Hello wtp.ngo admin, You always provide key takeaways and summaries.
To the wtp.ngo webmaster, Your posts are always informative and well-explained.
Hi wtp.ngo webmaster, Thanks for the detailed post!
Hello wtp.ngo webmaster, Your posts are always interesting.
справки москва
I like the valuable information you supply for your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I am fairly certain I will be told many new stuff right here! Good luck for the following!
Great post however , I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Thanks!
Great delivery. Outstanding arguments. Keep up the amazing work.
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is magnificent blog. A great read. I’ll definitely be back.
Simply wish to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your publish is simply excellent and i can think you are a professional in this subject. Well with your permission allow me to seize your RSS feed to stay up to date with imminent post. Thank you a million and please keep up the gratifying work.
This design is steller! You most certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
It’s awesome to visit this website and reading the views of all friends about this piece of writing, while I am also eager of getting familiarity.
What’s up to every one, because I am actually keen of reading this webpage’s post to be updated regularly. It includes good data.
Quality articles or reviews is the key to be a focus for the people to visit the site, that’s what this website is providing.
magnificent publish, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector do not understand this. You should continue your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!
I simply could not depart your site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard information a person supply for your visitors? Is going to be back regularly in order to inspect new posts
Can you tell us more about this? I’d like to find out more details.
No matter if some one searches for his essential thing, so he/she desires to be available that in detail, thus that thing is maintained over here.
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a friend who had been doing a little research on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast simply because I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to discuss this topic here on your web site.
Simply want to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your post is simply spectacular and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the gratifying work.
Hi there all, here every one is sharing such experience, so it’s good to read this blog, and I used to go to see this blog daily.
Hey very nice web site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also? I am glad to find so many useful information here in the submit, we need develop more strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Very useful information particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this particular info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
I am in fact glad to read this website posts which includes plenty of helpful data, thanks for providing such data.
First off I want to say superb blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing. I have had trouble clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out. I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or tips? Thanks!
If some one needs expert view concerning blogging and site-building then i advise him/her to pay a visit this webpage, Keep up the nice job.
Thanks a lot for the blog article.Really thank you! Will read on…
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful post. Thank you for providing this info.
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the internet. I am going to recommend this site!
I really like and appreciate your blog post. Really Cool.
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Fantastic work!
Amazing blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally confused .. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot!
Thanks for your write-up. One other thing is that if you are advertising your property on your own, one of the concerns you need to be mindful of upfront is when to deal with property inspection reports. As a FSBO home owner, the key concerning successfully shifting your property and saving money in real estate agent income is awareness. The more you understand, the better your home sales effort will probably be. One area exactly where this is particularly crucial is information about home inspections.
Dear wtp.ngo webmaster, Your posts are always well written.
Bardzo ciekawy blog, rzeczowy i wywazony. Od dzisiaj zagladam regularnie. Pozdrowienia
Can someone recommend Plus Size Bodystockings? Thanks xx
Hello! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche.Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!
tempe station apartments rentberry scam ico 30m$ raised millennium apartments
My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on several websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform. I have heard great things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content into it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!
Nicely put, Thanks.things to write a persuasive essay on essay typer hiring freelance writers
I cannot thank you enough for the post.Really thank you! Really Great.
Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your website on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, superb site!
Наилучший мужской эромассаж Москва с массажистками на выбор
Really quite a lot of good tips. Provigil Armyprovigil lawsuitProvigil Sperm Count
No matter if some one searches for his necessary thing, therefore he/she needs to be available that in detail, thus that thing is maintained over here.
Thanks-a-mundo for the blog article.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
It’s really very complex in this busy life to listen news on TV, thus I only use web for that purpose, and take the most up-to-date news.
Howdy I am so happy I found your web site, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on Bing for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a remarkable post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I dont have time to look over it all at the minute but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the awesome jo.
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
legit canadian online pharmacy cyprus online pharmacy – best canadian pharmacy online
Hi there, its good piece of writing regarding media print, we all know media is a impressive source of data.
Dear wtp.ngo owner, Thanks for the well-organized post!
Really appreciate you sharing this blog. Keep writing.
I will immediately seize your rss feed as I can not find your email subscription linkor e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly allow me knowso that I may subscribe. Thanks.
ivermectin cream 5 stromectol drg – ivermectin 250ml
There’s definately a great deal to learn about this topic. I like all of the points you’ve made.
This is a really good tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere.Brief but very accurate information… Thanksfor sharing this one. A must read post!
Currently it seems like BlogEngine is the best blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Dear wtp.ngo webmaster, Your posts are always well-timed and relevant.
I always spent my half an hour to read this website’s posts daily along with a cup of coffee.
Generally I don’t learn post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to check out anddo it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, very nice post.
Great write-up, I am normal visitor of one’s blog, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I believe that you ought to write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but usually people do not discuss such topics. To the next! Many thanks!!
I am in fact pleased to read this blog posts which includes plenty of useful data, thanks for providing such data.
Hi my loved one! I want to say that this article is awesome, great written and come with almost all important infos. I’d like to peer more posts like this .
Every weekend i used to go to see this web site, as i want enjoyment, as this this web site conations really pleasant funny information too.
excellent issues altogether, you simply received a emblem newreader. What might you suggest in regards to your submit that you simply made some days ago?Any sure?
Hi my friend! I wish to say that this article is amazing, nice written and include approximately all significant infos. I would like to peer more posts like this.
I think this is a real great post.Really thank you! Much obliged.
Hi, all is going fine here and ofcourse every one is sharing data, that’s in fact good, keep up writing.
Major thanks for the article. Really Cool.
I blog frequently and I really appreciate your content. This article has really peaked my interest. I am going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new information about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.
What’s up colleagues, its wonderful piece of writing about cultureand entirely explained, keep it up all the time.
Asking questions are in fact fastidious thing if you are not understanding something fully, but thisparagraph presents good understanding even.
Your style is very unique compared to other people I have read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this page.
I really liked this article. I’ll return for more to see. Thank you!
I like it when folks come together and share thoughts. Great blog, continue the good work!
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You definitely know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
Yes! Finally something about %keyword1%.
Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!
I’d like to find out more? I’d care to find out more details.
Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a twenty five foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
Great amazing things here. I¡¦m very happy to look your post. Thanks a lot and i’m looking ahead to contact you. Will you please drop me a mail?
You should take part in a contest for one of the greatest blogs on the internet. I most certainly will recommend this site!
I don’t even understand how I ended up here, however I thought this post used to be good. I don’t recognize who you are however definitely you are going to a famous blogger in case you are not already. Cheers!
I value the blog post.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
Hello there, simply become aware of your blog thru Google, and found that it is really informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate when you continue this in future. A lot of other people can be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Hi to every body, it’s my first go to see of this webpage; this webpage consists of remarkable and actually good data for readers.
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article post.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.
I’d like to find out more? I’d love to find out more details.
Looking forward to reading more. Great post.Thanks Again.
Appreciating the persistence you put into your site and in depth information you provide. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed material. Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Thank you for some other great article. Where else may anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am at the look for such information.
Very neat blog article.Thanks Again. Great.
I cannot thank you enough for the blog post. Awesome.
bumble dating our time dating local dating best dating apps
Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Spending some time and actual effort to produce a great articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I procrastinate a lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.
I think the admin of this site is in fact working hard for his website, since here every information is quality based information.