Without serious and sustainable reforms, all parties stand to lose. Nigeria is confronted by multiple security challenges, notably the resilient boko haram islamist insurgency in the north east, longrunning discontent and militancy in the niger delta, increasing violence between herders and farming communities spreading from the central belt southward, and separatist biafra agitation in the igbo south east. On a positive note, the amnesty has created the space for civil society to develop and organizations to come into the niger delta to encourage the reconciliation of these injustices leading to a more peaceful, politically stable and economically diverse niger delta. Major new inquiry into oil spills in nigerias niger delta. The current conflict in the niger delta first arose in the early 1990s over tensions between foreign oil corporations and a number of the niger delta s minority ethnic groups who feel they are being exploited, particularly the ogoni and the ijaw. Despite these resources, the region is marked by deprivation and underdevelopment.
The niger delta region had a total of 954 events from 20112015. The political economy of oil and rebellion in nigerias. The paper will look at extant policies that had been put in. The government of umaru musa yaradua recorded a remarkable feat when it finally got niger delta militants to accept the presidential proclamation of amnesty. Fresh dimensions on the niger delta crisis of nigeria 1 chapter i. This paper examines oil and security in nigeria, with special reference to the crisisravaged niger delta. It is typically considered to be located within nine coastal southern nigerian states, which include. Natural resource governance and eiti implementation in nigeria nigeria has had a troubled history of misgovernance and systemic corrup tion. The niger delta human development report benefited immensely from many individuals and. Fresh dimensions on the niger delta crisis of nigeria. Crisis in the niger delta 2 amnesty the one concrete action the federal government has taken is to introduce an amnesty for militants who turn in their weapons and commit to abandoning violence. A major virtue of the report is that it builds on all the previous reports on the delta commissioned by the.
The paradox of underdevelopment in a resourcerich region has played a role in increasing violence and instability in the niger delta. This article is part of a series on the geopolitics of the global financial crisis. Military authorities in bayelsa state in the niger delta region declared a state of emergency in late december 1998 in response to violence by members of the ijaw ethnic. The majority of the people in the delta live on the. Sep 07, 2018 niger delta has witnessed a high rate of militancy and insecurity starting from 2006. Oil exploration and current state of the niger delta. The oil producing states in nigeria all in the niger delta account for 90% of oil revenues yet they receive only 19% of the statutory revenues from the federal government derived form petroleum sales. Challenges and possibilities for progress in nigeria. The niger delta since inception of oil exploration in 1956 has been witnessing series of environmental insecurities which culminated into long term sufferings of the people living in the region. As the second major oil city after port harcourt, warri is the center of scores of oil installations and the nerve center of the operations of oil companies in the. The economy of conflict in the oil rich niger delta region. Challenges and possibilities for progress in nigeria olumide.
They preach about corruption and bad governance and blame it on western education. These violent conflicts are largely responsible for the backwardness of the country, poverty, unemployment etc. Resource control within the context of the ijaw people in the niger delta was interlinked fiscally in a federal system of government, particularly the case in the nigerias first republic between. Republic of nigeria niger delta social and conflict analysis. Delta avengers nda and the niger delta greenland justice movement ndgjm. Exploring the relationships between environmental governance. The irony of it however, is that the niger delta areas, where the countrys oil wealth is being derived from, has been neglected since the 1970s that nigerias oil boom became noticeable in the global market.
This paper traces the crisis in relation to the current attributes of the region and. Violence, particularly by the boko haram insurgency. Towards ending conflict and insecurity in the niger delta. Instability in the greater niger delta region of nigeria.
Developing country studies local governance and regional crisis in nigeria. Thus, the role of oil in the niger delta conflict is paradoxical. This paper is designed to assess the effects of niger delta crisis on nigerias external relations from 1992 to 2008. These movements, often positioned in opposition to state power and authority, have mostly been unsuccessful in claiming rights or changing the structure of oil governance in. Pdf understanding the niger delta crisis within the. Contending issues in the niger delta crisis of nigeria 1 chapter i. In particular, it intends to assess the performance of the democratic state in resolving the complex oil crisis in the niger delta. Its focus on the niger delta and its festering crisis stems from that regions critical importance to nigeria. Oil resource crisis in the niger delta has taken on different dimensions which are of serious concern both to the nigerian rental state, the transnational oil corporations operating in the region. At present, few things are certain about nigeria or the niger delta, and stability is a key concern for international actors. A number of social movement organisations have emerged in the niger delta region of nigeria over the last decade. In this article, we identify some of the causes of militancy and insecurity in niger delta to include, economic deprivation and marginalization of the indigenous peoples of niger delta, environmental degradation, bad governance and inconsistent policy framework, as well as the divide and rule policy of the. Victor ojakorotu the crisis in the niger delta of nigeria is attracting increasing international attention due both to the growing security threat it portends for the nigerian state and, particularly, its impact on international oil prices. Rethinking governance dimensions to the crises in the niger delta region.
Niger delta crisis and amnesty programme implementation in nigeria. The paradox of underdevelopment in a resourcerich region has played a role in increasing violence and instability in the niger delta, particularly since the late 1990s. Ab this article explores the complex voices of militants associated with the capture of oil resources in the niger delta region of nigeria. This article is based on some of the findings from my apnsupported research in postconflict oil producing communities of nigeria s niger delta. Indeed, this administration has been placed on trial by the plethora of crisis bedeviling nigeria. The government of nigeria salvaged the situation by responding with necessary. The niger delta crisis and the roles of governmental. Abstract the niger delta region of nigeria presents a typical case of the juxtaposition of enormous wealth and acute underdevelopment. This paper is designed to assess the effects of niger delta crisis on nigeria s external relations from 1992 to 2008. The niger delta is contributing a lot to the economic well being of nigeria and it is getting nothing, but destruction, in return. Niger delta province, nigeria, cameroon, and equatorial guinea, africa by michele l. Perspectives of the niger delta development crisis and state failures.
The warri crisis, the niger delta, and the nigerian state meredeth turshen warri is a strategic city in the niger delta. Abia, akwaibom, bayelsa, cross river, delta, edo, imo, ondo and rivers. Oct 07, 2016 the struggle for the development of the niger delta region has remained a staple subject for heated controversy. The niger delta covers the greater part of the southsouth region and some part of the south east region of nigeria. The crisis of environmental governance in the niger delta. Niger delta crisis in nigeria, root causes of peacelessness in the region niger delta crisis in nigeria, root causes of peacelessness in the region abstractthe oil rich niger delta region of nigeria has been embroiled in crisis between the government forces and some militants elements that are aggrieved over certain fundamental issues affecting the region which has lead to peacelessness. Box 4223, uyo, akwa ibom state, nigeria keywords petroleum resources. Lagos, nigeria cnn a major new inquiry into oil companies operating in the niger delta has been launched by the archbishop of york, john sentamu. Available data indicates it is africas largest delta and one of the largest deltas in the world. International journal of humanities and social science, 3 8, pp. The militia groups blew up some oil flow stations, abducted some foreign workers and disrupted oil. Defusing the time bomb by jean balouga introduction nigeria is the largest petroleum producer in africa and the sixth largest producer of sweet crude oil among opec member countries.
Creation of the niger delta development commission 20002003 the niger delta development commission nddc was established in 2000 by president olusegun obasanjo with the sole mandate of developing the petroleumrich niger delta region of southern nigeria. Summary when a civilian government was reinstated in nigeria in 1999, many of those living in the niger delta region. Here we examine how the global financial crisis will affect nigeria. The niger delta is the region that produces oil which is seen presently as the life wire of the nigerian economy. The region has been embroiled in crisis for some time. Nigeria s niger delta is endowed with vast reserves of oil and natural gas. It is located in the southsouth region of nigeria and extends over about 70,000 square kilometers, making up 7. A systematic analysis of the crisis is informed by my intention to identify the changing dynamics of what constitutes national security over the years and how the nation state of nigeria have been contending with the threat which the niger delta crisis is posing to the so called national security. Mrs jackakhigbe okouwa peace niger delta university nigeria. It was found that though the economy did not cause the conflict, it has become a. The response of the youth article pdf available april 2009 with 2,358 reads how we measure reads.
Suddenly, the region has turned into a boiling cauldron, unsettling the existing political equilibrium in the country through hostage taking and vandalism of crude oil pipelines with the militants quest being but a favorable sharing. Outside or external force, rebel force, government or mutinous force, rioters, militia political and ethnic, and protesters and civilians. Governance and oil politics in nigeria s niger delta. This study sets out to establish that the rising militancy in the niger delta area of nigeria is an outcrop of the lackluster quality of the countrys leadership. The oil rich niger delta region of nigeria has been embroiled in crisis between the government forces and some militants elements that are aggrieved over certain fundamental issues affecting the region which has lead to peacelessness. Since its inauguration, the nddc has focused on the development of social and. Government responds to the conflict by mainly increase its military forces. Nigerias niger delta is endowed with vast reserves of oil and natural gas. It focuses on women survivors of sexual violence in postconflict communities and the various ways they cope with trauma and stigma. Sadly, the history of the development of the region has been riddled with bitter. The state and development interventions in the niger delta region of nigeria dr. How corruption and oil crime are tearing nigeria apart join our community political risk has always been a part of oil business, and todays situation in nigeria is no exception. This study examines the economy of conflict in the resource conflicts in the niger delta region of nigeria.
The region has not been trapped in the fossilized state that has crumbled only recently in north africa. The media and conflicts in nigeria felix udo akpan. Therefore the focus of this study was to determine the cause of conflicts in the niger delta region of nigeria as expressed by the youth in delta state. The niger delta is today one of the most fragile ecosystems and the most. Crisis in the niger delta 5 the most pressing development needs are for better roads, water transport, power, and telecommunications. Pdf the role of traditional institutions of governance. Also, the niger delta avengers action has placed niger delta politicians, traditional rulers. Conflict in the niger delta united states institute of peace. An assessment of nigerdelta crisis on nigerias external relations from 19922008. Democratic governance and the management of oil conflict. The niger delta in nigeria has suffered from more than 7000 oil spills since 1970. Association of nigeria petan, the hostage taking crisis on the niger delta region will lead to unemployment of oil workers except the federal government and. Contending issues in the niger delta crisis of nigeria.
Oil and gas have been described as the mainstay of the nigerian economy today. Our findings agree with the core assumption of this paradigm that instead of ushering in development, poor management of resources, greed and bad. The reoccurrence of militant violence in nigeria s niger delta shows that pap has not been able to achieve sustainable peace or security in the niger delta. He is an expert on peace, security and governance issues in sub. Pdf developing country studies local governance and. The niger delta region of nigeria accounts for more than 90 percent of earnings from oil and gas, 80 percent of gross domestic product gdp and 95 percent of the national budget of nigeria. The paper seeks to examine how the crisis of environmental governance has deepened social inequality and intensified the politics of exclusionmarginalization of the oil minorities of the niger delta region. During this period, conflict has escalated significantly while governance indicators, for the most part, have stubbornly refused to improve. How corruption and oil crime are tearing nigeria apart. This has underpinned the crisis of development in which the country is immersed, and undermined the countrys image in the last two and half dec ades. Most important, the paper provides insight into the ori. If significant progress could be made on these fronts, much of the sense of injustice and marginalization on the part of the delta population would be assuaged. These movements, often positioned in opposition to state power and authority, have mostly been unsuccessful in claiming rights or changing the structure of oil governance in the country.
Niger delta has witnessed a high rate of militancy and insecurity starting from 2006. The first steps in this report were taken more than a year ago, well before ill health weakened and then led to the death of former president umaru musa yaradua. Governance and oil politics in nigerias niger delta. Pdf this paper tells the stories based on empirical evidence in niger delta. Without social justice there will be no peace in the niger delta and socioeconomic development will continue to. The struggle of the niger delta is a struggle for the soul of nigeria. Women, inclusiveness and participatory governance in. The central argument in this paper is that prior to the british colonial administration in nigeria, traditional institutions of governance played very significant roles in conflict management and resolution as they wielded very strong political.
This report argues that the quest for stability is counterproductive. The ecological crisis in the delta is coupled with a deepening politicaleconomic crisis. Pdf feminisation of oilresource crisis in niger delta in. Governments development efforts in the niger delta as stated earlier, various governments in nigeria have initiated development programmes with a view to reducing poverty in the niger delta region. Tarila marclint ebiede instability in nigerias niger delta. Recently, the niger delta crisis that has been simmering for years assumed a dangerous dimension. Governance is both at the heart of the conflict and the best place to seek solutions. Real issues in the niger delta crisis vanguard news. Resolving the niger delta crisis will require far greater commitment on the part of the federal government and corporate stakeholders in ensuring the oil industry operates fairly and transparently in the region, with visible benefits to the local population. The conflict in the niger delta region of nigeria has become global as it is wont to, given the fact that the major actors in the crisis are transnational the multinational oil corporations play very critical and fundamental roles in the crisis as. I am grateful to then doctoral student, now dr thomas horn hansen kings college and journalists for initially suggesting this line of enquiry to me during discussions of the uk niger delta working group, kings college on 14 june 2010, although the responsibility for the content of this article is entirely my own.
The niger delta is the delta of the niger river sitting directly on the gulf of guinea on the atlantic ocean in nigeria. This direct involvement of nigeria in oil industry operation has since translated into equity control in the nigerian companies of seven oil majorsshell nigeria 55 percent, mobil nigeria 60 percent, chevron nigeria 60 percent, agip nigeria 60 percent, elf nigeria 60 percent, texaco nigeria 60. Pdf the niger delta region of nigeria has become known for spates of. An assessment of the niger delta crisis and nigerias. The nigerian government has acknowledged some failings in its approach to the niger delta although, as with the oil companies, many people. Pdf the emergence of militancy in the niger delta region led to problems of insecurity. The state and development interventions in the niger delta. Nigeria is the most populated african country and its size, together with its oil and gas wealth, provides it with both political and economic clout.
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