In the oil industry there are more heroes than one can imagine, and not a few of them are at work in Nigeria. That’s where separatist rebels have recently kidnapped oil workers, blown up facilities, and vowed continued mayhem.
“Pipelines, loading points, export tankers, tank farms, refined petroleum depots, landing strips, and residences of employees of these companies can expect to be attacked,” said the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta. “We know where they live, shop, and where the children go to school.”
Children? Yes, even children are to be targeted as declared by the rebels in this latest war against the oil industry. And, of course, no one should be fooled by “MEND,” the acronym chosen by members of this group. They have no aim or plan of mending anything.
A power grab
They just want power. Indeed, analysts say the violence against the oil industry is part of growing political rivalry between the regions in Nigeria ahead of presidential elections scheduled for 2007. They say an uprising by the Ijaw people before 2003 elections reduced Nigeria’s production by 40%.
And the militants know what they are doing. Witnesses to recent attacks said they involved military-style operations by up to 40 trained militants. The group used a 12.7 mm heavy submachine gun mounted on a motor launch to attack one oil platform.
Up to last week, Royal Dutch Shell PLC was the only major operator to have acknowledged it suffered at the hands of the ethnic Ijaw militants, whom MEND purportedly represents.
The militants demand local control of the Niger Delta’s oil wealth, payment of $1.5 billion by Shell to the Bayelsa state government to compensate for “pollution,” and the release of Ijaw leaders including the former Bayelsa state governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, and the leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujahideen Dokubo-Asari.
All under attack
But the group clearly has more in mind than just hampering Shell or even hitting it up for cash. The militants said they have decided not to limit their attacks to Shell as their ultimate aim is to prevent Nigeria from exporting oil. In a word, all international oil companies are within their sights.
That’s where the heroism comes in. For, despite the efforts of the militants, international oil companies are continuing their work in the country. Shell has dismissed rumors that it will pull out of Nigeria, while Agip SPA and Total SA-risking the militants’ wrath-have denied claims of attacks on their facilities.
ExxonMobil Corp. chose to act and not engage with the militants in a war of words. Shipping sources said loading was due to begin last week at two major Nigerian oil terminals operated by ExxonMobil after industry rumors that exports might be suspended due to fears of an attack.
“The two Exxon terminals are going to start loading this afternoon under heavy military guard,” a shipping agent said. ✦