People & Power - Democracy Delta-style - 14 Apr 07 - Part 1

The 2007 National elections are approaching in Nigeria. People & Power reporter Juliana Ruhfus and director Hazel Chandler travel to the conflict ridden and oil rich Niger Delta to explore what is at stake. In spite of the Delta's vast oil wealth the people are poor -- and deprived of a democratic voice. As a result, the last 15 months has seen an escalation in militant groups operating in the region. Some claim that that they are fighting to help ensure local people benefit from the Delta's oil wealth, in the face of intimidation and corruption from politicians.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• democracy
• nigeria
• corruption
• Peter
• Odili
• Niger
• Delta
• oil
• MEND
• People
• Power
• Ogoni
• Ledum
• Mitee
• Juliana
• Ruhfus
• Shell

[aurakeia]

NIGERIA, GIANT OF AFRICA. WE SHOULD LOOK INTO OURSELVES BEFORE WE START BLAMING THE GOVERNMENT. IS OBVIOUS THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE CRIMINALS, SO AS AVERAGE NIGERIANS. SOONER WE REALISE WE ARE IN IT TOGETHER THE BETTER FOR EVERYBODY.

[MrKillien]

@WAFIJAMAL I don't know why your comment got flaged. you made a great comment.

[Biafrans7]

@Graham6762. Shut up and get yourself informed!

[Graham6762]

jews run nigeria and the world

[funkymamadee11]

MEND have my sympathy....If only I could contribute to their cause

[okorojnr]

My take on the poverty and deprivation in the Niger Delta is simple: Either 50% derivation or secession.I see no reason why unproductive states should enjoy the largesse of others.This idea of sharing oil money from the Niger Delta to other states is unjust.Until the issue of derivation is resolved, there will continue to be war in the Delta!!!

[agagaraga]

No tyranny of circumstances shall permanently imprison a determind will. the good people of the Niger-Delta shall surely overcome their troubles...

[OneWorldOneDestiny]

Overwhelming majority of Nigerian leaders, since independence, have been uncivilized, unpatriotic, incompetent, rapacious, insensitive, self-centered, and lacked the understanding of investing in the common good of the people. The past and present traitors are cursed for many generations to come. Nigeria would survive, but the offspring of the deceptive rulers shall become everything that is dirty, sickly, and unsightly in the modern world. The spirits in heaven and earth say a voluminous Amen.

[kaziabdal]

was it bp shell eni total or all of the european oil cartel criminal transnational corporations?

[Biafrans7]

"...for centuries, the Niger Delta was literally a backwater of small subsistence communities, but since the discovery of petroleum, the people's environment has been polluted and rendered useless...poverty increased and with it, anger...as soon as the people became angry, they were branded as terrorists, as obstacles in the way of prosperity. And so, they were hunted down." --- Former Ghanaian President, Jerry Rawlings, in Portharcourt. Guardian Newspapers, Tuesday October 14, 2008.