THE SHOCKING SAGA OF DEPRIVATION, DENIAL, AND ABANDONMENT OF NDOKWA PEOPLE ! (Prt 2)

The oil and gas industry, spearheaded by major players such as Nigeria Agip Oil Company, Sterling Global, and other international oil companies in Ndokwa land, has long been a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy.

These corporations extract vast quantities of petroleum and other hydrocarbons, generating substantial revenue from Ndokwa land for the country.

However, despite their significant economic contributions, their social responsibility towards the local communities in Ndokwa land and its people, remains deprived without giving back to their hosts communities.

Instead of fostering sustainable development and empowering the indigenous population, these companies often prioritize profit over the well-being of the communities they operate in.

In Ndokwa land, the presence of oil companies has neither translated into meaningful employment opportunities for the local indigenes, nor a boost in the local economy.

Majority of the jobs created are often filled by non-indigenes or expatriates, leaving the local youth and skilled workers marginalized.

 This exclusion has led to a sense of disenfranchisement among the indigenous people, who bear the environmental and health burdens of oil exploration without reaping the benefits or adequate measures to cushion effects of environmental hazards.

Consequently, the community remains impoverished and underdeveloped, with little or no access to essential services such as healthcare, infrastructure development and electricity for about twenty years.

Despite the contributions of a few sons and daughters of Ndokwa land, both in petroleum and other sectors, who have independently managed to secure limited amenities, scholarships and other philanthropic gestures, these efforts are isolated and insufficient to address the broader developmental needs of the community.

The local population continues to suffer from environmental effect caused by oil spills, gas flaring, devastation of its ecosystem and deforestation, which have severely impacted agriculture, fishing, and health.

The lack of comprehensive corporate social responsibility programs from Agip, Sterling Global and other oil companies has left Ndokwa land in a state of neglect, with environmental hazards and health risks worsening over time.

In the 70s, this author grew up to know gas flaring in Okpai and know Ndokwa land with ever rusted iron roofs as a result of environmental degradation.

The neglect by oil companies in providing social amenities, employment, and environmental stewardship underscores a broader issue of corporate responsibility in Nigeria’s oil-producing regions.

While the oil industry in Ndokwa land has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economy, the benefits have not been equitably shared with the local communities, who are often left to deal with the adverse effects of oil exploration.

It is imperative for these companies to embrace genuine corporate social responsibility, investing in local infrastructure, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, to foster sustainable development and improve the quality of life for Ndokwa land and its people.

The unrest and militancy that have plagued the Niger Delta and other regions serve as stark reminders of the consequences of neglect and exploitation.

These movements, which eventually escalated into armed struggle, originated from deep-seated frustrations over environmental degradation, lack of fair resource distribution, and neglect of local communities by oil companies and government authorities.

Just as the gentle exterior of a tiger cannot conceal its ferocity, the seemingly calm surface of these Ndokwa people masks a fierce resilience and anger fueled by years of marginalization.

The history of Ogoni and other Niger Delta groups underscores that beneath a peaceful veneer lies a potent force driven by the urgent need for justice, environmental preservation, and equitable development, forces that can ignite into fierce resistance when pushed to the breaking point.

Sixteen years of darkness: we join the peaceful campaign to light up Ndokwa, illuminating their path toward dignity, progress, and hope for a brighter future.

Sunday Odogwu, a concerned Ndokwa son, resudes innJos, Plateau State.