BUSINESS DAILY
A Shell petrol station in Kenya. Nigerias government decision to replace Shells operations in Ogoni was first celebrated, but not any more.
Written by Zachary Ochieng’
September 29, 2008: The peace process in Ogoni land a major test for efforts to bring stability to the oil-rich Niger Delta is likely to fail if the Nigerian government refuses to consult local communities about new oil operations, a new report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank warns.
The reportNigeria: Ogoni Land after Shell examines the political and economic implications of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) departure from Ogoni land and gives recommendations on resuming peaceful oil operations in the economically strategic and politically volatile region.
If handled carefully, this transition could persuade some of the Deltas armed groups that non-violence can produce progress on their demands, says François Grignon, Crisis Groups Africa Programme Director. If handled poorly, it will not only intensify the Delta armed insurgency but also set the stage for a new crisis between the Ogoni tribe and SPDCs successor oil company.
The Nigerian governments 4 June 2008 decision to replace Shells operation in Ogoni land was at first celebrated by the Ogoni as a victory for non-violent struggle and local communities over a multinational oil company.
But the government soon announced the concession would be taken over by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company. The Ogoni consider the governments unilateral engagement of a new operator a further attempt to deny their stakeholder rights.
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