Multinationals’ impact on Nigerian environment cannot be overemphasized. Their roles on the environment are significant and have continued to be a topical issue in Nigerian Newspapers, magazine and even in other media. The region where oil is being explored in Nigeria especially places like Ogoni, Niger Delta, Ijaw, etc have been completely devastated by decades of reckless oil exploration or ecological warfare by these oil-producing companies and other multinationals. An ecological war is highly lethal, the moves so as it is unconventional. It is homicidal in effect. Human life, flora, fauna, the air, fall at its fact, and finally, the land itself dies.
In Hungerstrike Newspaer (199), it was stated therefore, ‘the environmental impact assessment concluded that, although some section of the reports. Overall, the environmental statements fell well short of what would be required in any developed country. The impact that oil production in Nigeria has had, problems identified include flooding and coastal erosion, sedimentation and siltation, degradation and depletion of water and coastal resources, land degradation, oil pollution, health problems and low agricultural production, as well as social problems, lack of continue participation’.
In most of the oil-producing communities, people spoke about the adverse effects that oil exploration and production has had on their livelihood. These among others include the following:
1. Loss of land and resources to communities and families
2. Difficult or no access to food and basic goods
3. Scarcity places an especially heavy burden on women
4. Prostitution, rape and fatherless children continue to increase in these communities
(Excerpts from an interview with Annie Brisibe, September 9, 1999)
The Niger Delta in Nigeria has been the attention of environmentalists, human right activists and fair trade advocates around the world. The activities of large oil companies have raised many concerns and criticisms. Oil, which could potentially have allowed Nigeria to be one of the wealthiest countries in Africa, has instead led it to become one of the poorest, corruption and mismanagement lending hands. Read the full story
