Nigerian Oil

In a recent newspaper article I read that a group of women in Nigeria were able to barricade and hold hostage a large oil terminal and all its workers near their village. They did this to protest the fact that while the oil company and Nigerian politicians are making a lot of money they are living without running water, electricity or proper health care. One of the women was quoted as saying of the oil facilities that "inside its like living in the USA, while outside we live in poverty. Its humiliating." I understand that from their actions and negotiations that they managed to win a few jobs.

I've worked in Nigeria and here's my take on the situation. It is a country of great wealth due to its oil and other resources, but the distribution of that wealth is truly unfair, unequal and will probably never change. Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and many of its ills are in some part related to this fact. Corruption is rampant and it is not unusual for a person to "buy" a government job and not get paid, because he is expected to extort the money he needs from whatever source he can find. When I hear that Nigerian peacekeepers (Army) are being sent to other parts of Africa, I laugh and shudder at the same time because they come to make business, not peace.

On a rig in Nigeria over half the local crew will be suffering from malaria and these are all men. Generally it kills a large proportion of the younger population and women weakened from work and or childbirth. Except in the oil business and other good paying occupations most physical labor is performed by women. Health care in general is non-existent as we would know it and without good water or proper nutrition preventative health measures are also poor. It's a tough place to live.

Crime is also rampant. A common technique of local hoodlums is to fell a tree across a highway and to charge a toll or fee to allow cars to pass around it. One time the police were being chased by criminals and hid in our shore base office compound for protection. The criminals were better armed. Obviously white folks are visitors and have money, so these are favorite targets, but anyone (expats or locals) in the oil business is fair game. And this isn't restricted to criminals. Absolutely everyone has their hand out. The common Nigerian greeting is "what do you have for me" or "what have you brought me"?

I have no way to verify this, but one an oil company executive addressed our rig crew one time and said that they had little influence on the political climate and that as a profit making entity they were allowed to recoup their costs in the exploration and production of oil plus $1 per barrel. The rest of the money belonged to the government. Since there is very little infrastructure in Nigeria it is obvious that the few people who are making a lot of money are taking it out of the country and hiding it.

We have it good in Morrison, Illinois. Saudi Arabia is truly one of the safest places I've ever worked. A woman living in abject poverty, suffering from illness, and watching her children die in the shadow of industry and wealth has a better understanding of terror and freedom.

(by Marc Adami, Guest Columnist)