Delta in Distress
The Politics and Perils of Petroleum Patronage in Nigeria
by
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Nigeria is increasingly becoming a key player in contemporary international politics when viewed from the global energy perspective. Petroleum constitutes the pivot upon which the socio-political framework of the country revolves. Her lofty recognition in the global community is facilitated not only by her being the most populous Black Country on earth but also as being one of the richest nation-states due essentially to its oil wealth. Nigeria is the world’s sixth largest producer of crude oil. From the common sense viewpoint, oil is ordinarily conceived as a great source of fortune for the populace of any territory where the acclaimed black gold is found.
However, in most instances in life, precepts often contradict practice. Looking at the picture, oil has increasingly become a great source of community conflicts as well as intra-national and international crisis around the global community since remembered time. It is more or less a great tool in the hands of mindless tyrants and dictators around the globe. In other instances, it is the source of money by which rebels and terrorists fuel their nefarious and destructive activities that have increasingly threatened the very foundation of the anticipated peaceful coexistence of the citizens of the global community. In Nigeria, the matter is not any different and the ensuing firm grip unto the crude oil has not notably spelt well for the common citizens of the country. Thus, the toll of despair, deprivation, destitution and desperation in the midst of plenty pervades the length and breadth of the society. A trend examined in this book.
Potency of Petroleum
Crude oil is largely found in the indigenous territories of the Niger Delta. It is the world-acclaimed most attractive brand of crude oil struck within the region lying around the alluvial plain on which Ogoni and other neighboring communities are located. The global energy industry presently suffers from the monopoly of oil magnates. No one can rationally under-estimate the potency of petroleum when viewed from the perspective of the wave it stirs on the murky waters of economic politics in Nigeria.
The word ‘petroleum’ was coined from the two Latin words, petra and oleum. Petra means a stone or rock while oleum means oil. It follows that petroleum is a natural resource extracted from stones and rock. It is bituminous liquid composed of various organic chemicals and hydrocarbons formed from fossils and found in large quantities below the earth’s surface. It is often called crude oil, ostensibly for its crude and offensive odor. Petroleum is finite, exhaustible and non-renewable energy source, largely used as fuel and raw materials in the chemical industry. It is an enviable energy source refined to produce such indispensable products like kerosene, petrol, diesel, domestic and industrial gas, bitumen, etc.
Among Nigeria’s Niger Delta citizenry crude oil evinces bad omen. It is depicted in a political perspective while in a contrary sense, the notion of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as a public corporation, presents petroleum products as an essential commodity the control of which should ordinarily not be influenced by the political authorities in high and low places. Popular opinion signifies petroleum as a political, social and economic weapon. It is considered as the root cause of the social, political and economic upheavals around the country, which has precipitated into the on-going volatility in the Niger Delta region.
In Nigeria, there are two types of crude-oil: Bonny Light and Brass Brent. Bonny Light, obtainable from the Bonny/Port Harcourt zone of the Nigerian hydrocarbon deposit, is the best in the world and is in very high demand in the affluent North-West. It is preferable because it is very cheap and easy to refine and virtually very minute or no by-product from it is a waste. Brass Brent is obtainable from the Brass/Warri axis of the Nigerian hydrocarbon deposit. Though this particular brand is also good, it is not in very high demand when compared to Bonny Light because of the above reasons offered in favor of the Bonny Light.
Oil-dependent countries, particularly Nigeria, have relatively low state capabilities given their level of per capita income specifically based on the premise that the presence of oil makes state or regional control a tempting “prize.” Since oil is viewed as an attractive pie that attracts every citizen, the powerful adopt a winner-takes-all approach. This makes those deprived to the proceeds of crude oil to be aggrieved. The increasing importance of oil in the successive economic accumulation and political regimes/leadership of the country has perpetually constituted the primary cardinal factor shaping the economic system of revenue distribution within the Nigerian federal structure.
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About the Book
The controversial role of the petrodollar in modern socio-political relations within the local, national and international settings evokes serious concerns. Oil has become a paramount source of political power in our energy-driven world. Nigeria is increasingly assuming the center stage within the global community when viewed from the global energy perspective. The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is the treasure base of the country. The region is naturally endowed with oil and gas resources which happen to be the mainstay of the Nigerian economy, accounting for more than 50 per cent of the nation’s revenue. However, the availability of the enormous oil and gas resources does not appear to reflect in the infrastructural development and the living standard of the local community populace within the region. There is a steady tussle over the control of oil and gas resources.
Fairly ingrained in the socio-political system in this part of the world, is an alleged desire to satisfy the unquenchable avarice of the privileged class. This development has exhumed the appalling realization that man has not truly become his brother’s keeper. The excruciating experience of man’s cruelty to man is a fact of life in most modern human societies. This reflects in the manner of distribution of national wealth. The Niger Delta region is on the trail with the vast majority of human societies marked by conflicts over natural resources distribution. The ethnic polarization of the delta region has not helped matters in this regard.
About the Author
Dr. Terry Mission Bagia is originally a native of Nweol, a village in Gokana of the Ogoni ethnic nationality at the heart of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. As a youngster, Terry was seriously touched by his mother’s life account of how, as a teenage girl, she was able to raise three pennies with which she started the local trade in fish at ‘Ki-bani’, a market at the water front of Bomu village – a village from where Terry’s wife would eventually come. Her growth in the trade later exposed her to Kaa market - where Terry eventually attended high school.
His early exposition to hardship drew him very close to his very wise, resolute and courageous mother and made him grow wiser. His life, during and immediately after high school was not rosy. He spent the early years following high school to embark on wage-earning labor-ready farm work expeditions in the IKwerre suburbs. After one of such trips he was able to register for the General Certificate of Education (GCE) O/level and enrolled for classes at Student Aid Investments, then at Ikwerre Road Port Harcourt. He scored enviable grades in all the seven papers for which he registered.
He later proceeded to the College of Arts and Science, Port Harcourt for a Pre-degree (IJMB) program. He was in the process of securing admission into University of Uyo, Law Faculty, before he exited Nigeria into Benin following the military occupation of Ogoni land.
After 3 years and 4 months he was eventually resettled in USA. On arrival, he formally got married to Olivia, and jumped into State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center for a Business/Computer Technology Certificate program. Terry later proceeded into Erie Community College and after one Semester was admitted into the Bachelor’s degree program in SUNY at Buffalo. After the BA in International Studies and Communication (double major) he got admitted into the Law School. He also got into an MA program in International Relations which he completed in May, 2007. He then continued with the pursuit of the Juris Doctor, with concentration in International Law and Corporate law (Finance Transactions), to the point of successful completion in May 2008.
He has religiously combined affinity to the rigors of academic and professional endeavors with enlightening and life-improving services to humanity as evinced by his active involvement in society-uplifting organizations. He is a distinguished member, International Society of Poets (ISP); member, Buffalo/Niagara World Connect (BNWC); member, UB Environment and Society Institute (ESI); 2006/2007 Vice President, UB International Law Society (ILS) and member, Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP).