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he Niger Delta remains an abandoned and abused minority region in Ni-geria, where in the age of human rights and fundamental freedoms,wealth derived from its lands and waters serves to degrade the environ-ment and impoverish its citizens. As long as injustice of this immeasurable na-ture remains uncorrected; as long as extreme poverty inthe midst of abundance is not eliminated; as long ascorruption with impunity is not stamped out and politi-

cally motivated violence that impedes popular partici-pation goes unpunished; as long as a sense of frustra-tion and hopelessness is overlooked and the prolifera-tion of small arms and light weapons is tolerated; aslong as world democracies continue to pamper Nigeriascompetitive authoritarian regime in the name of selfish

self-interest and stability, and multinational oil corporations remain devoidof humane standards of operation, democracy in Nigeria will remain a faadeand threatened. And a world thirsty for Nigerian oil, but indifferent to its popu-lation, will have on its hands a catastrophea humanitarian crisis waiting tohappen.

Anyakwee Nsirimovu, June 8, 2009

T

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Anyakwee Nsirimovu

Reagan-Fascell Democracy FellowNational Endowment for Democracy

June 8, 2009

The views expressed in this presentation represent the analysis andopinions of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the

National Endowment for Democracy or its staff.

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Year after year, we wereclenched in tyrannicalchains and led through adark alley of perpetual

political and socialdeprivation. Strangers inour own country! Inevitably,therefore, the day would

come for us to fight for ourlong-denied right to self-determination.

Isaac Adaka Boro, TheTwelve-Day Revolution

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4

Map of Nigeria

Map of the NigeriaDelta Region

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Competitive authoritarianism, rather than qualitydemocracy, has compounded social instability, enabledbad governance, & permitted the primitive accumulationof wealth.

Decades of neglect and frustrated expectations haveresulted in unprecedented levels of violence, especiallyamongst the youth who feel that they have been

condemned to a life without hope. Conflict and a call to arms is seen as a strategy to escape

deprivation.

5

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The Niger Delta region is central to the survival of Nigeria. It isemblematic of all that is wrong, yet remains indicative of thehopes for a better country.

If we get the Niger Delta right, we get Nigeria right.

6

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Traditionally fishermen and farmers, the inhabitants of theNiger Delta are not a homogenous entity, but share commoninterests and problems.

7

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Source: National Population Census, 2006 8

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Various peoples were organized into distinct city-states atleast four centuries before colonization

Five major ethno-linguistic groups: Ijaoid, Yaroboid, Edoid,Iboid, Delta Cross

Some of these groups extend beyond the Niger Delta

9

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Source: ERML Field Survey, 2005 10

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Source: National Bureau of Statistics, 2005 11

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Source: Federal Ministry of Health, National HIV and

Source: Federal Ministry of Health, National HIV/AIDS Sentinel Survey, 2003;Federal Ministry of Water Resources Survey, 2006. 12

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Source:Soc

io-economicSurveyon

N

igeria,2006

13

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1914: Nigeria is created by Britain 1946: Constitution establishes regional legislatures

1954: Federal Constitution introducedNigeria is splitinto 3 regions and those in Niger Delta become minoritiesin both Eastern and Western regions

1957: London Conference

September 1957: Willink Commission

1958: Recommendations of the Commission for Niger Delta1960: Nigeria is granted independence, ushering in an era

of internal colonialism

1966: Military coup topples government

14

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The policy of squeezing maximum production from theNiger Delta is a deliberate policy carried out by a harsh andrepressive regime (Sagay 2001: 25).

Provisions that both enable and ensure this status quo:

Revenue Sharing Formula (1960)

The Pipelines Act (1965)

The Petroleum Decree (1969)

Decree No. 9 (1971) The Land Use Act (1978)

The Associated Gas Re-Injection Decree (1985)

Successive amended constitutions, in particular, section 44(3) of

1999 Constitution 15

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Nigerias OPEC Quota (19992007) millions of barrels/day

OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin, 2007 16

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Total Oil Export Revenue inBillion US Dollars (19992007)

fsdfdsCrude Oil Production in Millionsof Barrels per Day (19972007)

Source: OPEC Annual Stat. Survey, 2007Source: OPEC Annual Stat. Survey, 2007 17

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Sustainable development mandates a holistic approach to

development sensitive to the needs of human beings and theenvironment. Puvimanainghe (2000: 36)

The human dimension of development is the only dimension of

intrinsic worth. Jolly and Stewart (1986: 3536)

18

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Findings of Human Rights Watch Report (1999):

The evidence . . . suggests that companies benefit from non-enforcement of laws regulating the oil industry, in ways directlyprejudicial to the resident population.

Oil companies benefit from federal laws that deprive localcommunities of rights in relation to the land they treat as theirs.

Grievances . . . center on the appropriation or unremunerated use of

community or family resources, health problems or damage tofishing, hunting or cultivation attributed to oil spills or gas flares,and other operations leading to a loss of livelihood; as well as oilcompany failure to employ sufficient local people . . . or to generatebenefits for local communities from the profits that they make.

19Source: Human Rights Watch, The Price of Oil, 1999

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If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor

freedom and yet depreciate agitation are men who want crops withoutplowing up the ground; they want rain without thunder and lightning.They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters...Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never

will. Frederick Douglass

20

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1990: Ken Saro-Wiwa founds Movement Ogoni Bill of Rights:

demands political autonomy within the Nigerian Federation

observes that the ruthless policies of successive Nigerian governmentspushed the Ogoni to near extinction

decries the forced disappearance of local languages, unacceptableenvironmental degradation, and lack of education, health services,

and other social facilities notes that in over 30 years of oil mining, Ogoniland provided the

Nigerian government with revenues of $30 billion. In return, theOgoni people have received nothing. . .

21

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1998: The Kaiama Declaration: presents the universally accepted position of the Ijaw people

recognizes the negative role of British colonialism (the Ijaw nationwas unjustly aggregated as part of the Nigerian state)

outlines in detail how the quality of life has deteriorated as a result ofofficial neglect, suppression, and marginalization

exposes the link between oil companies and the Nigerian

governmenta union that causes untold destruction

underlines the root causes of the now ecologically devastated Ijawlandand observes that those in government, and civilian collaborators,continue to amass untold amounts of wealth at the expense of local

communities . . . 22

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Cognizant of the fact that our rightto self-determination, resourceownership and control cannot be

actualized without the abolition ofall anti-people laws and policies, wedemand the immediate abolition ofthe following laws: The Land Use

Act of 1978, The Petroleum Act of1969 . . . These objectionable lawsare repressive and cannot guaranteeour survival if they continue toexist...they deny us the use of ourGod-given resources . . .

23

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19601966: Niger Delta Development Board

19721994: Niger Delta River Basin Authority

19821991: The so-called 1.5%Commission

19921999: Oil and Minerals Producing AreaDevelopment Commission (OMPADEC)

1998: Petro Trust Fund, Popoola Committee Review

2000: Niger Delta Development Commission

2008: Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs

24

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1999: Transition Election 2003 : National Election

2007: National Election

Political violence Proliferation of arms

Recruitment of thugs

Oil bunkering as compensation Impunity

Primitive Accumulation/Money laundering

Extreme poverty in the midst of abundance

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Shell, Chevron, Exxon-Mobil, Agip, Totalfina

Local inhabitants no stake in oil companies

Lack of corporate social responsibility

Voluntary principles

Environmental degradation

Massive corruption

Militarization and arms proliferation

Lack of employment opportunities for local communities26

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Armed groups have increasingly mobilized against oilcompanies, declaring an absolute oil war.

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Mass protests, blockades, destruction of pipelines, andkidnapping of oil workers are common occurrences.

The region has become a breeding ground for armstrafficking, weapons proliferation, and criminal activitythis

is especially so among youth.

28

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West Africa: 810 million Nigeria: 23 million

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Europe Ex-combatants and deserters

Poorly paid Peacekeeping troops

Police station raids

The situation is exacerbated by porous borders, laxexport controls, state complicity, and

weak state institutions 29

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Source: NNPC Annual Statistical Bulletin, 2007 30

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Source: NNPC Annual Statistical Bulletin, 2007 31

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Cessation of hostilities in Niger Delta

Immediate implementation of the Niger Delta TechnicalCommittee Report and the Electoral Reform Report

Commitment to quality democracy and good governance

Effective funding for Niger Delta Ministry and the Niger DeltaDevelopment Commission

Independence of anti-corruption agency Economic andFinancial Crimes Commission

Prosecution of former corrupt Niger Delta governors32

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Compliance of multinational oil companies

Rule of law and judicial integrity

Commitment to ECOWAS Mechanism on Small Arms

Investigation of allegations of complicity in oil bunkering byhigh-ranking politicians and the military

Prosecution of human rights violations by the military

Reform and reorientation of the Nigerian police

33

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Shun corruption

Respect human rights

Establish links with local communities

Enforce corporate social responsibility

Adhere to Memorandum of Understanding

Implement Voluntary Principles

Respect the rule of law

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Eternal vigilance

Peace-building Oversight and early warning

Capacity-building

Information sharing and advocacy

Coalition-building and networking

35

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Commitment to people-centered democracy

Condition all foreign aid on quality of democracy

Diplomatic pressure for dialogue

Increase support for bottom-up democracy-building

Re-think AFRICOM and military-training practices foroppressive governments

Encourage oil companies to observe minimum standards ofcivilization

Discourage corruption and money laundering

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People first, oil second