Anyone have any thoughts on this...

[VonClausewitz]

Reuters

Jan. 16 - Shell mulls pulling its workers out of Niger Delta zone after spate of militant attacks. Benet Allen reports.

The impact of such a move on Shell's 380,000 barrel-a-day oil output from the Warri region was unclear, because evacuation does not always mean halting production.

The most recent attacks have been focused on the western side of the vast wetlands region, but the same group is believed to have carried out a bombing of a big export pipeline in the eastern delta on December 20.

Linky (http://today.reuters.co.uk/tv/videoChannel.aspx?storyid=c7c2fe85d3fd607f0d2013f5 acbbe5d5c58c58ef)

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Surely this is the wrong way for these people to achieve whatever goals they have ? Crushing their country's economy ? sounds a bit silly to me.

[Amusing Scrotum]

Originally posted by [email protected] 17 2006, 08:56 AM
Surely this is the wrong way for these people to achieve whatever goals they have ? Crushing their country's economy ? sounds a bit silly to me.

Well are they really crushing the Nigeria's economy? ....most of the profits of oil production, no doubt, go straight out of Nigeria. Which really doesn't benefit Nigeria at all.

[James]

It certainly does not help their economy if they want any form of foreign investment.

[VonClausewitz]

Armchair socialism - economy is more than just profits, the wages that workers and related compaines and their workers would be ruined

[redstar2000]

I'm not sure it's possible to say anything meaningful about Nigeria at the present time.

First of all, it's not really a "country" in any meaningful sense of the word...its borders were drawn by British imperialists without regard to the ethnic/cultural boundaries that actually existed in the area.

Secondly, its natural wealth has been systematically looted for many decades...and not only by the imperialists but with the helpful assistance of a series of kleptocratic military despots.

Thirdly, the part of Nigeria where the oil is actually extracted is one of the most totally polluted places on earth...there was never any material incentive for the western oil corporations to "clean up their mess" so they didn't.

And they won't.

I daresay the oil corporations will now spread some more bribes around and "order" will be restored.

None of the bribes will be used for any constructive purpose.

And Nigeria will still be a big shithole.

http://www.websmileys.com/sm/cool/123.gif

[pravyj]

Surely this is the wrong way for these people to achieve whatever goals they have ? Crushing their country's economy ? sounds a bit silly to me.
I'd say the whole country is in big shit anyway, so who cares about its economy anymore?

All problems probably stem from the fact that some corrupt dictator sold oil industry to shell with the money ending up in his pocket. Shell doesn't even employ Nigerian workers, they have their own.

Under these circumstances I see no reason why the oil industry shouldn't be taken back by force.

[Amusing Scrotum]

Originally posted by James+Jan 22 2006, 01:29 AM--> (James @ Jan 22 2006, 01:29 AM) It certainly does not help their economy if they want any form of foreign investment. [/b]

Well considering the record of what that "foreign investment" has actually done. It be surprised if these militants really want any more of it.


Originally posted by VonClausewitz+--> (VonClausewitz)economy is more than just profits, the wages that workers and related compaines and their workers would be ruined[/b]

They might, they might not. Who knows for sure?

pravyj pointed out something I was unaware of, Nigerian workers don't seem to be employed in the Oil Industry. There are probably some, but this story seems to back up pravyj's claim....


BBC [email protected]
Nigerian militants who have kidnapped four foreign oil workers and attacked a Shell oil platform say they are preparing to carry out more raids.

Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4633644.stm).

Now if the militants drive out Shell and the foreign workers, surely taking hold of the remaining industry and employing Nigerian workers would be beneficial?


pravyj
Under these circumstances I see no reason why the oil industry shouldn't be taken back by force.

A sensible suggestion. :)

[Tungsten]

pravyj

Under these circumstances I see no reason why the oil industry shouldn't be taken back by force.
Better if Shell just burnt their refineries to the ground and let the natives build their own.

[Amusing Scrotum]

More action in Nigeria....


Originally posted by BBC News
Unidentified gunmen have stormed the offices of Italian oil company Agip in Port Harcourt, southern Nigeria.

At least nine people were killed in the assault. It is reported that seven of the dead were policemen and two were civilians working at the complex.

The gunmen attacked the riverside offices on speedboats and made their escape in the same way, having stolen a large amount of money, witnesses said.

It is the latest in a string of attacks on oil companies in the Niger Delta.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4644324.stm

Thats what, 3 attacks in the last few days? ....I hadn't even heard of them before last week.

[Eoin Dubh]

Remember Ken Saro Wiwa (RIP) :(


Statement made by Saro-Wiwa just before his execution
"I repeat that we all stand before history. I and my colleagues are not the only ones on trial. Shell is on trial here, and it is as well that it is represented by counsel said to be holding a watching brief. The company has, indeed, ducked this particular trial, but its day will surely come and the lessons learned here may prove useful to it, for there is no doubt in my mind that the ecological war the company has waged in the delta will be called to question sooner than later and the crimes of that war be duly punished. The crime of the company's dirty wars against the Ogoni people will also be punished.

On trial also is the Nigerian nation, its present rulers and all those who assist them. I am not one of those who shy away from protesting injustice and oppression, arguing that they are expected of a military regime. The military do not act alone. They are supported by a gaggle of politicians, lawyers, judges, academics and businessmen, all of them hiding under the claim that they are only doing their duty, men and women too afraid to wash their pants of their urine.

We all stand on trial, my lord, for by our actions we have denigrated our country and jeopardised the future of our children. As we subscribe to the subnormal and accept double standards, as we lie and cheat openly, as we protect injustice and oppression, we empty our classrooms, degrade our hospitals, and make ourselves the slaves of those who subscribe to higher standards, who pursue the truth, and honour justice, freedom and hard work."


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Saro-Wiwa
http://www.scholars.nus.edu.sg/landow/post...sarowiwaov.html (http://www.scholars.nus.edu.sg/landow/post/sarowiwa/sarowiwaov.html)
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/saro.htm

[voice of the voiceless]

fact: the money made from the oil in the niger delta is enough to give every one who lives there an income of £250,000 anually.

the wonders of capitalism eh :P

[redstar2000]

Nigerian oil fuels Delta conflict (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/world/africa/4617658.stm)

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