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The world had expected that after the ouster of Sadam and his government, the U.S would leave Iraqi people alone to set up their own government and possibly only need to supervise if the need arises. But what every pundit have predicted is coming to pass, as it is now so glaring that there are other motives for the American Government’s persistent sit tight approach in Iraq. Now Mr. Bush is asking for another $84 billion dollars to be approved by the congress for the completion of the war on Iraq. The question then is; what is America’s interest in wasting that enormous amount of money on war for? The truth must be said and that is the fact that the oil of Iraq has always been the interest of both father and son. The American Government cannot imagine the reason why the Iraqi oil has to be put under the care of the United Nations after series of sanctions has been imposed on Iraq by the international community. America needs the world’s oil and that of Iraq cannot be excluded. So whatever it takes must be done to ensure that this aim is achieved.
In Africa the situation has been the same. In this work Nigeria should be the case study.
A country which is the 6th largest producer of oil in the world according to the report of the Oil Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Cartel also happens to be ironically the second poorest country in world rating. The leaders of this potentially rich country are no doubt the most corrupt from its head to its bottom. A country which makes an average of $50.4 million on a daily basis from oil alone is plagued with poverty at the highest level.
Basic infrastructures such as potable water, electricity supply, food, good roads and employment (to mention a few) are totally lacking and debased. Yet the governments and their officials brandish all sorts of affluence and arrogance in the midst of poverty ridden people. The Warri region of Delta State of Nigeria where the largest amount of crude oil is found is totally in a chaotic state right.
The corrupt practices of the various governments of Nigeria has over the past one decade paid little or no attention to the problems created by the communal clashes in the region. Even the oil companies have merged with the government of Nigeria to use these people against themselves. Ignorantly, these people fight themselves believing that they are enemies of themselves, where as their enemies are not around them. Unknowing for them their enemies abound in Abuja, Lagos and some other cities.
Recently a Coup d’Etat was organized in Principe and Sao Tome by some military men who had taken over power from the president, after he had gone on tour to Nigeria. Obasanjo, the President of Nigeria, amazingly restored the government without any form of blood shed whereas on the issue of Guinea Bissau, the president of Nigeria seconded the views of the military by allowing the military to remain to help restore the country to another so-called democratic government.
Perhaps what Nigerians do not know is that Sao Tome and Principe has found black gold in its shores and their government which does not give account of how it spends their money; has already disbursed some millions of dollars to the Sao Tome government to help make the dream of exploiting the oil a reality.
Officials of governments and governments all over the world has refused to let their conscience guide them on matters of oil. And they would readily loot, steal and kill at the slightest opportunity when oil matters come in focus. The cases of Sadam Hussain of Iraq and that of the past military junta of General Ibrahim Babangida of Nigeria readily come to mind.
Oil politics and the corrupt practices associated with it have become pandemic and is now a global phenomenon. Funny enough, the problem seems intractable. But let’s hope that sooner than expected all these will change. After all, the only constant thing in life is dynamism or change if you like.
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Ejiro donald
Enefe Ejiro Donald was born and raised from a humble background. I appreciate and advocate for equity, justice fairness and world peace. I look forward with eagerness to that day when the world will be a better place for all to live in...we can all work it out...the lil contributions from every citizens of the world can help achieve this dream
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