Issues
Participation In Petroleum Development …Towards Sustainable Community Development In The Niger Delta
Continued from last Wednesday, June 16, 2010.
The book “Participation in Petroleum Development: Towards Sustainable Community Development in the Niger Delta” by Eseme-Alabo Dr. Edward Bristol-Alagbariya is essential for key oil industry experts, administrators, scholars and students who want to gain further insight on how the Niger Delta can benefit from oil exploration and exploitation. The Tide, beginning from this edition, run excerpts of the book. Enjoy it.
Improved CSR measures backed by GSR and other GG measures require the support and encouragement of the oil-producing communities, as indicated in Chapters 1 and 9. The need for the communities to do so to provide an enabling environment for the operations of the MNOCs is identified in Chapter 9, under clause 24 of the Bonny kingdom versus NLNG agreement made under the auspices of the Rivers state government reconciliation panel, on May 30, 2000, following the kingdom versus NLNG crisis of September, 1999.
The author considers the support and encouragement of the oil-producing communities to enhance the operations of the MNOCs in the course of petroleum development in the communities, to mean community social responsibility (SRC). CSR and SRC, generated by GG, will in turn generate cooperation, mutual trust and commitment between the MNOCs and the communities as well as consensus-building and strategic development partnerships between the three major stakeholders of the petroleum development business in Nigeria.
Chapter 1 thus indicates the need for tri-sector development partnerships among the major stakeholders, to improve their so-far frosty relationships. The chapter indicates the need for tri-sector development partnerships in the course of major natural resources development in developing countries, in conformity with the provisions of Article 26 of the Johannesburg Declaration on SD, 2002, which echoes the significance of broad-based and long-term partnerships for SD.
These partnerships constitute one significant finding of this book: that there is need for a conflict resolution strategy designed to achieve win-win situations among the three major the three major stakeholders of the petroleum development business in Nigeria. Win-win situations such as reaching environmental consensus are bridge-building measures. They are ingredients of collaborative or multi-stakeholder partnerships (MSPs) required to govern the relations between the three major stakeholders.
Chapter 1 of the book demonstrates that so far the FG and communities are both unyielding, while the MNOCs are reluctant to do all that is required of them by governments and the communities (ie, to implement more social investment than they are willing to embark upon), in the course of their operations in the Delta region. Win-win environmental consensus and conflict resolution alliances, which require the commitment of each of the three major stakeholders in the performance of their respective roles and responsibilities, are amicable ways of resolving the crises in the Delta region, considering the relatively-uncompromising stance of each of these stakeholders.
The stakeholder theory seeks to impose a measure of social responsibility on the international community, especially countries of the globe relying on Nigeria’s petroleum resources to serve their needs, to persuade governments and MNOCs in Nigeria to properly fulfil their obligations and responsibilities to the oil-rich Delta region and other oil-producing areas of Nigeria.
The fulfilment of these would contribute to industrial peace and harmony in the oil-producing areas, especially as peace and prosperity in these oil-rich areas are intertwined with the prosperity of Nigeria and security of supply of Nigeria’s petroleum resources to the consumer-countries. Considering the leadership question of the Delta region expressed in Chapter 1, to promote the interests of the people of the region require capable, credible and efficient, elected and appointed representatives in the realm of national politics and decision-making processes.
Placing the book in a more meaningful and proper national context, the enlarged/ancillary hypothesis expressed in Chapter 1 provides that the overwhelming majority of Nigerian citizens, especially the poor masses and the intelligentsia, are (along with the ethnic minorities, especially those of the Delta region) being excluded from participating in decision-making processes in the country. This hypothesis is verified, especially as participation means empowering citizens politically and otherwise.
Lack of participation or improper participation means non-empowerment of citizens and is thus the basis for marginalisation, neglect, poverty, and misery being inflicted upon or suffered by the overwhelming majority of Nigerians. Hence, the book considers that the plight and predicaments of the minorities of the oil-rich Delta region regarding environmental democracy in relation to petroleum development can only be more meaningfully or effectively addressed in the context of overall citizens’ participation in Nigeria. This also implies that the paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty in the Delta region needs to be more properly addressed by governments at all levels in the overall context of poverty in the midst of the plentiful wealth accruing to Nigeria from petroleum development.
Chapter 1 also indicates that the principle of permanent sovereignty has inherent rights and responsibilities, although these rights are enjoyed by the government of Nigeria and those of other major natural resources-rich developing countries without the political will or commitment of these governments to fulfil the corollary duties and responsibilities of this principle in favour of their citizens. These duties and responsibilities include the promotion of economic development, ensuring the protection of the environment, and enhancing SD, in the interest of the citizens.
Thus, Article 21 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights, Cap. 10, LFN, 1990 (ie, Article 17 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948), provides that sovereignty over natural resources in the FRN be exercised in the interest of the people of the federation. Accordingly, Section 14(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the FRN, cited in Chapters 1 and 9, states that ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’.
Chapter 1 indicates that Africa is a centre of crises and contradictions, and major natural resources development by extractive industries occupies a key place at the centre of these crises, as exemplified by sovereign and other ancillary governance control of petroleum resources development and the revenues from it in the FRN.
The solution to these twin problems of crises and contradictions from the perspective of this book is improved CI in petroleum development vis-à-vis improved PI derived through greater citizens’ empowerment in decision-making processes in the federation. Improved PI is capable of empowering the minorities of the oil-producing Delta region and the producers of other major natural resources in the FRN, environmentally, economically and socio-politically, as well as enhancing transparency and accountability in the overall governance of the federation.
As expressed in Chapter 1, improved citizens’ or public involvement is capable of resolving the leadership question of the FRN, considering that the key problem with PP in decision making and the overall ‘trouble with Nigeria’ ‘is simply and squarely the failure of leadership’, using the words of Nigeria’s erudite writer, Chinua Achebe. Leadership failure triumph at all levels of governance from the federal to regional, state, local and community levels. Indeed, since the attainment of Nigeria’s political independence, one of its greatest problems is the absence of public-spirited leaders capable of governing the country in the interest of all; consequently, the ethnic minorities and the poor citizens of the country worse-off.
Nigerian leaders are thus confronted with the challenge of truly representing the interests of Nigerian citizens, rather than their self-serving interests. Self-serving leaders in Nigeria should be united in promoting the common good of Nigerians and Nigeria, rather than their common greed; as the only item on the agenda of leadership is service to the people. Nigerian leaders are thus required to improve governance, in compliance with the provisions of Article 30 of the Johannesburg Declaration on SD, and the commitment of poor countries expressed in the UN Millennium Declaration based on the UN General Assembly Resolution 55/2 of September 8, 2000, in the interest of humanity in the country.
To be Continued
This is an open letter to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Your Excellency,
Sir, ordinarily, I would not be writing an open letter to you, but like a wise man once said, “Silence would be Treason.” So I prefer to stay alive than face the consequences of silence in the face of crime. With each passing day, and as the socio-political tides continue to turn, it has become more pertinent that more people speak up in a concerted MANNER to prevent the death of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as we appear to be, in the words of W. B. Yeats, “turning and turning in the widening gyre” heading for an end where the falcon will no longer hear the falconer
It is unfortunate that since losing control of the Federal Government, with the loss of President Goodluck Jonathan at the poll in 2015, our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has continued on a downward spiral. It is much more painful, that where it is expected that leaders within the party should rise to the challenge and put an end to this decline of our great party, some have instead taken up roles as its undertaker.
It will be hypocritical to claim aloofness to what I believe is your grouse with the PDP and I am not a hypocrite. It will be uncharitable on my part to discountenance the role you have played in strengthening the PDP from 2015 up until the last Presidential primaries of the party. It is my belief that your grouse against certain members of the party who you perceived worked against the party and abandoned it in 2015 and then came around much later to take control of the party, is justified. Also know that your decision to remain in the Party and stifle its progress on the other hand, as a sort of payback, stands condemned. For a man of your pedigree and stature, it is a dishonorable act, highly dishonorable and stands as testimony against all you claim to stand for.
At least, it can be argued that those who you hold this grudge against, abandoned the party completely and did not sit back while actively working to destroy it from within. But what then can be the argument on your own part, seeing that those you are currently working with against your party are the same people who set in motion, and executed surgically, the plans that not only ended our Party’s leadership at the centre, but ended up dislodging the first Niger Deltan to occupy Aso Rock as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Is this not akin to “cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face?” That will be worse than folly. Let us not throw away the baby with the bath water because we do not like the soap used in bathing the baby. It will be a grave mistake.
Honourable Minister, sir, it is rather unfortunate that of all people, you have also decided to play the role of an undertaker not only for our party, but for our dear Rivers State.
I will like to take you down memory lane a little. Let me remind you of your emergence as Guber candidate of the PDP in Rivers State, against all fairness and justice in 2014. You will remember that despite the reality being that you as an Ikwerre man was poised to replace a fellow Ikwerre man in Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in our multiethnic state, Rivers people overwhelmingly stood by you and pushed for your emergence as Executive Governor of Rivers State in 2015. I dare say that your popularity in the entire Niger Delta region was at an all-time high at this point.
I want you to understand why you were loved across board leading to your eventual emergence as Governor of Rivers State in 2015; it was because when it looked like all were against the second term ambitions of the first Niger Delta man to emerge as President of Nigeria, you became not just a pillar but a beacon of resistance by standing for Goodluck Jonathan. Rivers people, as grateful and rewarding as they can be, paid you back by ensuring your electoral victory against the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) led by your predecessor. On your emergence, where there were second term Governors in the region, you, a first term Governor, was seen by the people as not just the leader of the PDP, but the leader of the entire Niger Delta region. You earned it, and no one could dispute it.
In 2019, when your re-election bid was being challenged ferociously, Rivers people once again stood solidly behind you. Many were killed in the process of defending your votes. Do you remember Dr. Ferry Gberegbe that was shot and killed while trying to protect your votes in Khana Local Government Area? There are many more unnamed and unrecognised sons and daughters of Rivers State who sacrificed their lives so that you could emerge as a second term Governor of Rivers State.
In 2022/23, Honourable Minister, you oversaw a party primary across board that saw some candidates imprisoned and internal party democracy jettisoned for your wishes, leading to the emergence of flag bearers of our party all singlehandedly picked by you. You have on more than one occasion publicly stated that you paid for all their forms. Even those shortchanged in this process licked their wounds and continued to play their roles as party members to ensure the success of the party at all levels. In what will go down as one of the most keenly contested elections in recent Rivers history, with formidable candidates like Senator Magnus Abe of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr Tonye Cole of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the vibrant youth driven Labour Party (LP), PDP emerged victorious across board except for Phalga Constituency 1 that was lost to the Labour Party. (Not that you did not loose in some other LGA’s but let’s stick to the official figures declared by INEC).
It begs the question, why then do you want to burn down Rivers State, when everyone who now holds political office emerged through a process designed and endorsed by you? Is it that you do not care about Rivers people and you are all about yourself? If so, I am forced to believe that those around you are not telling you the truth. The truth being that in a state where your words were law; where houses and businesses could be demolished or closed down without any recourse to legalities, where Executive Orders could be deployed to stifle the opposition, that your popularity is now at an all-time low. Probably because they are afraid of you, or of losing the benefits they gain from you, they fail to tell you that what you might perceive as a battle against your successor, has slowly but gradually degenerating into a battle against Rivers State and Rivers people. You know, there is a popular saying that, a man can cook for the community and the community will finish the food, but when a community decides to cook for one man, the reverse is the case.
LEAVE FUBARA ALONE
You have gone on and on about being betrayed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. You point fingers forgetting that some of those same fingers quick to spot betrayals point straight back at you. It is not Governor Fubara that has betrayed the PDP by working against it in the just concluded General Election, and working with the opposition at the State and Federal level to destabilise the party. It is you, Honourable Minister. It is not Governor Fubara that betrayed Rivers people by instigating a political crisis with propensity to escalate ethnic tensions in Rivers State. It is you Honourable Minister. It is not Governor Fubara that has declared himself God over all in Rivers State and has no qualms with burning the state to the ground to prove a point. It is you Honourable Minister. It is you Honourable Minister who told the world that the APC was a cancer and you can never support a cancerous party. It is you Honourable Minister who ended up facilitating the emergence of the same “cancerous” APC that has accelerated the economic decline of this country and further impoverished our people with no remorse. All so you can be a Minister of the Federal Capital Territory? The lack of self awareness is gobsmacking.
Some days back I came across a video where you talked about death and how you do not cry when you hear about the death of some people because you have no idea what might have caused it considering many a politician swear “over dead bodies” and still go back on their words. Those words made me think, and I could see the reason behind them. You see, in chosing to be God in the affairs of Rivers people, you have closed your eyes and ears to reason; you see nothing and hear nothing that can cause you to rethink on the path you have chosen. In your quest to “show Fubara” you have unwittingly united a vast majority of Rivers people behind him, so much that even those who despised him because of you, now like or love him, because of you too. In your scheming, I will advise you not to forget that “the voice of the people is the voice of God”.
Note that the war which you have or are waging against Governor Fubara, has gone beyond being merely political as you might see in your minds eye. It is now one that, fortunately for some and unfortunately for others, has evolved into a war against Rivers people. It is good to point out that no one has taken a stand against Rivers people and won. No one has gone against God and won. In your defiant characteristic manner, it will be unfortunate if you believe your own hubris and that of those around you on the possibility of you being the first to successfully go against Rivers people. It will be a needless gamble; one where if you win you create more enemies for yourself than you can withstand on your political journey, and if you lose, your legacy becomes an inglorious and irredeemable one in Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria at large. For your sake as regards posterity, it is my greatest wish that you have a moment of sobriety and a deep reflection and introspection on this path you have chosen.
Honourable Minister, sir, what is left of your legacy is on the brink of being completely desecrated and relegated to the dustbin of our political history, and it will be a sad end to what I will say has been a wonderful political career that many can only dream of. The ball is in your court, and may God Almighty have mercy on us all and forgive us for our shortcomings.
Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson
Dr Pidomson is former Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt and former member, Rivers State House of Assembly.
In 2015, I made a conscious decision to invest my financial resources, my time, and energy into supporting Nyesom Wike’s gubernatorial campaign. I poured my heart and soul into ensuring Nyesom Wike emerged victorious even at the risk of my personal safety.
Again in 2019, I doubled down on my commitment. I invested a significant amount of money to procure campaign outfits for all twenty-three Local Governments Areas of Rivers State. I spared no expense in supplementing Wike’s election efforts in my own local government, and once again putting myself at great risk to safeguard the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
However, despite my unwavering loyalty and sacrifices, I found myself abandoned and forgotten by Wike. Throughout his eight-year tenure, he failed to acknowledge my contributions or fulfill his promises and agreements. Even as a former Deputy Governor, Wike denied me my severance benefit.
My investment in Wike’s governorship was not just financial – it was a commitment of passion, dedication, and belief in a better future for Rivers State. Yet, his leadership style of dishonesty, greed, drunkenness and rash abuse of senior citizens brought me nothing but disappointment, misery and losses.
By the grace of God, today I speak not as a victim, but as a hero. I have accepted my losses, and I have moved on. And as I reflect on my experience, I cannot help but urge Wike to do the same and allow peace and development to reign in Rivers State.
Nyesom Wike, when you speak of investing in Governor Sim Fubara’s election, remember those like me who also invested in you. Remember the sacrifices I made, the risks I took, and the promises and agreements you left unfulfilled.
It is time for you, Wike, to let go of the past and allow Governor Sim Fubara the breathing space he needs to lead Rivers State forward. Allow him to focus on the challenges of good governance and the aspirations of the people. Spare him these unwarranted and ill-conceived political manoeuvrings founded on personal agenda and not for general good of Rivers State and her people.
I may have lost my investment on Wike, but I have not lost hope in the future of Rivers State. And together, we will continue to strive for a brighter tomorrow.
Long Live the Governor to Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara!
Long Live the Good People of Rivers State!!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Engr Ikuru is former Deputy Governor of Rivers State.
Tele Ikuru
