A WORLD WITHOUT OIL - THE NIGER DELTA A TICKING TIME BOMB

EVERYTHING THAT HAS A BEGINNING HAS AN END:

It is inevitable; it’s our unpreparedness that baffles me.

We have always known that Oil is an exhaustible Natural Resource. Nothing last forever, it’s either the World moves away from Oil, or the Oil wells will dry someday. But we act like it will be here for another Century.

That our Nation was thrown into a recession simply because the price of Oil nose dived (the unprepared leadership, partly accounts for the economic malaise), is enough signals for us to sit up and take drastic measures to secure our future and that of the generation unborn but we carry on like slaves who do not care how food gets to the table and where will food come from the next day as long as we have something to eat now. But are we really eating now?

EATING THE CRUMBS:

The key players in the industry are People from other regions of the country although the Raw Material is drilled from our soil. I have said before that the best we have now is just crumbs from the table, but we are contented with eating from the crumbs because our land lacks either Visionaries or Revolutionaries.

WHERE ARE THE GAINS OF THE STRUGGLE?

Don’t tell me we have Freedom Fighters, I salute their courage to bear arms against the State - something I have not done and don’t intend to do, I will God helping me in the steps of Ken Saro Wiwa sharpen my ability to use my pen as the pen is reputed to be mightier than the gun. With all due respect, what is the fruit of their struggle in Ijaw land (Please enlighten me, I may be wrong) right now it seems they only fought to establish their personal kingdoms, who immediately their pockets were lined forgot the overall objective of the struggle.

ONE EXCEPTION:

The only exception is High Chief Government Ekpomupolo aka Tompolo to whose credit we can say we have the Maritime University. If I may ask what are the tangible achievements we have had so far since the Kaima Declaration and the commencement of the emancipation struggle?

AN END TO OIL IS NEAR:

Five Countries have already announced an end date for the sale of fuel and diesel cars; Norway (2025), India and Germany (2030), and France and the UK (2040). Many others are preparing to follow, paving way for the mass production of electric cars. In less than 20 years from now, Oil will be a commodity that is more of a liability than an asset to any Nation. How prepared is the Ijaw Nation that has suffered the most Impact from Oil Exploration and Exploitation activities for a World without OIL?

HOPE LOST?

The birth of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), gave many hope that with enlightened youths given a voice and a platform, Political Office Holders of Ijaw extraction will be held accountable to the People and will help to put authorities at all levels on their toes. Today, that body is embroiled in controversy, I was shocked to see two full page adverts congratulating High Chief Government Ekpomupolo on his birthday with different signatories claiming presidency of the Council in the Vanguard Newspaper

At a time the IYC among other things ought to be working with Government Agencies to monitor Oil Exploration and Servicing Companies’ compliance with the Local Content Policy, we are having factions. A House divided against itself they say cannot stand. And where is the Ijaw National Congress (INC) in all these?

THE DANGER OF PROLIFERATION OF ARMS:

Our region has its fair share of proliferation of Small and medium Firearms. Today most crimes along the waterways are largely unreported, except a highbrow kidnapping of Oil Company Personnel. Pirate activities are mostly ignored. Imagine what will be our fate when there no foreign or indigenous oil company personnel to be kidnapped for ransom? As soon as the Flow Stations stop pumping Oil, the Government will abandon the region and will be much more prepared to take drastic measures if we dare agitate.

THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW!

Although it might be a bit late, I think its expedient that we put our House in order and start thinking the region and not just our pockets as the conflagration that will follow a World without Oil will consume everyone of us. Our Monarchs, Elders, Leaders of Thought, Politicians, Businessmen and Women, Youths, Students etc should as a matter of urgency convene a Post Oil Conference that will table these thorny issues for deliberation. We should address the following:

1)     Completion of the East – West Road

2)     Capacity Building for our Youths: Training our Youths to explore other sources of energy like Solar, Hydro and Wind. With Oil out of the way, we will need Solar Panels to Power our Homes. That is an investment idea as well as an industry that will engage hundreds of young minds among other trades they can learn

3)    The Provision of Good and Affordable Health Care Delivery System for our People

4)   The Provision of Portable Drinking Water in all Communities – we cannot be living in the stone age of drinking water from the same river we use as our rest room, take our bath, and throw away our waste

5)    We must find a way to provide electricity for our people

6)   Ensure that all children of school age are in school and work out a modality that will ensure brilliant minds are assisted to go all the way to the University.

7)    With Farmlands and Rivers polluted what will be the occupation of our Fathers and Mothers?

The list is by no means exhaustive.

CONCLUSION:

We must put our individual and political differences aside for the sake of the Ijaw Nation and forge a common bond to fight for our collective destiny. We have often proven to the World what we are capable of achieving when we speak with one voice. This time we must prove to ourselves that we can walk together and survive a World Without Oil.