|
|
|
Oil companies in developing countries
|
|
 |
The people of Nigeria versus Shell
Source:
Friends of the Earth International
For many years oil leakage's have caused/created vast environmental and heath problems/hazards in the Niger delta in Nigeria. This site presents a collection of photos, testimonies, reports on the oil spills in Nigeria and follow up of the case against Shell. June 2008.[see more]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A large body of evidence suggests that rich oil resources obstruct democracy and equitable economic growth in developing countries because of a lack of transparency, and therefore accountability, in oil revenues paid by oil companies to governments.
The human rights implications of the activities of transnational corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises in conflict zones, “failed states” and repressive regimes have drawn increased public attention, concern and scrutiny in recent years.
The increase in oil exploration in Africa by multinational oil companies has raised the profile of the debate, questioning the oil industry's contribution to development in the South.
In some countries of Latin America there is a long history of opposition to oil exploitation, because of its serious environmental and social impacts and human rights violations.
World Bank fossil fuel finance
Academic studies, personal testimonies, and governmental data were submitted to the EIR (The Extractive Industries Review), that establish a clear correlation between a country’s reliance on oil exports and its levels of poverty, child mortality, child malnutrition, civil war, corruption, and totalitarianism.
Bank staff was unable to provide a single example during the EIR of an oil project that had alleviated poverty. Outside of the Middle East there are no examples of successful oil-based economic devel-opment, and even those countries exhibit many of the other characteristics of oil export dependency (e.g. autocracy, human rights violations). From "The winners an losers of World Bank fossil fuel finance", data analysis by Jim Vallette & Steve Kretzmann, April 2004 See pdf.
However, in a Board meeting at August 3, 2004, World Bank Management and its Board failed to respond with concrete commitments to change the way the Bank operates and ensure poverty reduction results from its investments.
"The World Bank has ignored the EIR recommendations and endorsed business as usual", said Jon Sohn of Friends of the Earth US. "The EIR called for an 'extreme energy makeover,' and the World Bank opted for a cheap pedicure. It has missed a historic opportunity to bring its lending more in line with its mission to alleviate poverty."
The World Bank refers to the Chad-Cameroon Oil Pipeline as a model for poverty alleviation, although it is quickly becoming a model for misery. The Chadian government spent a portion of the first proceeds on military expenditures, worker's rights have been violated, people lost their livelihoods as a result of pollution, and impact mitigation plans lack proper implementation.
“Oil projects like the Chad-Cameroon pipeline generate more tears than smiles. The Bank's response to the EIR means they have not learned a single lesson from such tragedies”, added Mr Nguiffo. From Friends of the Earth. See.
|
|
|
| |
 |
 |
In-depth
reports |
| Detailed
reports on key issues. |
Oil fueling conflicts
Many wars have been waged and are still being fought all over the world to ensure corporate control over oil.
|
 |
NGOs |
| NGO
web sites. |
Sarayacu
Kichwa community located in the Pastaza province in the Amazonian region of Ecuador.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Africa |
 |
|
Latin America |
 |
|
Iraq and Middle East |
 |
|
Asia |
 |
|
A global picture |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|