Petroleum plays a significant role in
contributing to the African economy. Oil was founded in the Nigerian region in
1907. Nigeria supplies oil to the
United States of America.
Shell Nigeria
Gas Factory was established in Nigeria
country in the year 1936. The first shipment of oil from Nigeria took place
in the year 1958. Shell is a fossil
fuel company set up in Nigeria which operates 87 flow stations, 6,000-kilometer-long
pipelines, 8 natural gas plants and thousands of producing wells.
In the 90’s,
there was a lot of tension related to the environmental
damage and displacement of people. When a factory is set up, it comes with
several hardships. This was not free of consequences because many local residents were affected by this. The industrial
unit has been in the news for many years. The shell factory was seized in
Nigeria. What is the Shell Factory politics? What are the issues? You will find
all that and more through this article. Before going through the article, take
a look at the Viking essay for the
much-needed help.
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| Source: http://en.africatime.com/sites/default/files/styles/une_pays/public/photo-articles/2017/Sep/shell_nigeria1.jpg?itok=EOY52agI |
The
Shell Factory
Shell Nigeria is basically owned by Royal Dutch of Netherlands and Shell Group. The
two companies have been venturing together since 1903. They ran several businesses in West Africa, Argentina, and
Nigeria.
The company was founded in Lagos
Africa. The oil extraction takes place at a region called Niger Delta. This
Nigeria
region is home to various ethnic
groups, which includes the Ogoni. This group faces a lot of exploitation by the
Shell multinational company.
The
Plight of Ethnic Groups
When there is oil extraction, several
people are affected by it because there is
environmental damage. The factory provides
an occupation/several jobs for people, but it is causing severe damage to the
environment. The Government is not taking any necessary steps for stopping the
injustice.
The Government hanged 9 people for speaking against the Shell Group
and Royal Dutch of Netherlands. This happened in the year 1995.
The Ogoni
people were enraged, and they could not stand
the environmental injustice. It is a case of human rights. It is not just about
the Ogoni people, but there are other
groups, who are facing injustice as well.
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| Source: http://www.monitor.co.ug/image/view/-/4077090/highRes/1741059/-/maxw/600/-/106tn82/-/world02pix.jpg |
The Ogoni villages do not have clean water
to drink, and they are living with little
electricity. The displaced farmers do not have jobs and fishermen do not have
any option.
The Shell factory is molesting the environment and taking away the
limited resources from the people.
The
Problem of Environmental Degradation
Crude oil is dangerous, and once it touches a leaf, it dries up. Imagine what
damage it can do to human beings! The oil has killed many fishes in the water bodies, and most of the ethnic people were
dependent on farming and fishing.
There
is no fish to catch, and the lands are
barren due to crude oil. The oil companies such as Shell have significant influence on the government. The
Ogoni people started a movement which is called Movement for Survival of the
Ogoni People. It began in the year 1993.
Several people participated in this movement for the struggle for saving the environment.
The
Struggle For A Better Life
Shell Factory has overstayed in the Nigeria
region, and 2017 is expected to stop this. In the month of August 2017, the locals from Bielema reached the factory and demanded that
the Anglo-Dutch oil producer should leave the area because they are unable to
improve the lives of people.
More than 800 men and women demanded the right to
live a better lifestyle. The locals were angry,
and they feel that the Shell factory has overstayed in the region.
The industrial unit claims that they have
created jobs for the poor people and they have spent a lot of money to improve
the schools. However, the villagers are not in
the same boat, and they reached a
breaking point.
Did they get clean drinking water? Are they breathing fresh
air? The answer is NO! The anger of the villagers is justified because they do
not see the change. Locals seized the Nigerian oil hub due to immense anger.
Was it right? The answer is YES! If the factory cannot improve the lives of
individuals and address their issues, it is best to leave their home and find
another place. It is a major threat to
the environment, and it has been
continuing for many years. It is time to stop exploiting nature and
individuals, who depend on the natural resources.
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