CHEVRON AND NIGERIA
Aug 18th, 2007 by kendi
A district Court Judge in a San Francisco Federal Court has finally ruled that Chevron was directly involved in the torture and death of villagers in the Niger Delta region. The incidents occurred in 1998 and 1999.
Nine Nigerian plaintiffs filled the law suit against Chevron Nigeria Ltd eight years ago for the alleged murder of the villagers. Nigerians in the Niger Delta live in abject poverty. It’s about time their needs and problems are addressed.
Though, it took eight years for the court to decide to hear the case, many questions arise: How will a law suit against a multinational firm play out?
In any case, if the court rules in favour of the citizens of the Niger Delta will the corrupt leaders allow the indigenes to enjoy the boundless resources?
Will the continent ever recover from the numerous problems that plague it?
Will the western world see Africa rise above these issues?
Mr Edah, a manager with Oceanic Bank in Nigeria and an indigene of the Niger Delta. says:
The truth of the matter is that the Multinational companies have been indirectly or directly involved with the deprivation of the Niger Delta people in collaboration with most Niger Delta chiefs and some key government officials because most government officials are involved in the illegal bunkering of these products.
However, if the lawsuit rules in favour of the Niger Delta, a message on the importance of social responsibility will be passed. And the oil companies will become involved in alleviating poverty in the Niger Delta which is what the people are clamoring for.
The big problem with Africa is bad leadership, dictators like Robert Mug be who’s been in power for over 30 years. On the flip side, every continent in the world has passed through some kind of problem.
Now, West Africa has some stability in terms of having a Government in place. Where there is fundamental respect of human rights and the rule of law prevails, which is the supremacy of the law according to how people are governed. As Countries like Nigeria and Ghana seek to fully institutionalize democracy, problem areas such as East Africa where Militia groups and rebel movements are the order of the day, will in time tow the same path.
As a continent, it is trying to integrate. Economic integration resulted in the setting up of institutions like the African central bank etc. Political alignment will gradually come about as democracy becomes fully institutionalized.
So who gets the booty? Just the eight, the government or will the affected villagers see some, somehow I have my doubts, just wondering…ciao