Despite oil wealth people’s welfare can be safeguarded

Aug 27, 2009

HAVING lived and worked in Uganda over 35 years ago and having just completed a visit to the country with my wife, children and grandchildren I have a concern and love for the people of this unique part of Africa and for the country itself.

By Terry Waite

HAVING lived and worked in Uganda over 35 years ago and having just completed a visit to the country with my wife, children and grandchildren I have a concern and love for the people of this unique part of Africa and for the country itself.

I understand the exceptional difficulties which Ugandans have had to face in the past several decades. Civil disturbance, HIV, lack of employment opportunities and a considerable influx of refugees from neighbouring countries are just some of the overwhelming issues that the people and successive governments have experienced.

The fact that recent explorations have revealed considerable deposits of oil in the country must seem like the answer to prayer.

At last there is a chance that enough money will be available to tackle some of the cruel problems that have faced generations of Ugandans.

There is no doubt that much good can come from this unexpected development. However, there may be serious problems on the horizon.

First, there can be no doubt that there is big money to be made from this venture and the prospect of vast riches does have a corrupting effect.

One only has to look at Nigeria to see some of the disasters that have occurred as a result of oil extraction.

The people of the Niger Delta complained bitterly about the destruction of the environment, to no avail.

Ken Saro Wiwa, a leading campaigner, was murdered in 1995 because he became too much of a nuisance when, on behalf of his people, he continued to protest.

Saro Wiwa was a member of the Ogoni people, an ethnic Nigerian minority whose homeland, Ogoniland, in the Niger Delta has been targeted for crude oil extraction since the 1950s.

It has suffered extreme and unremediated environmental damage from decades of indiscriminate oil waste dumping.

Initially as spokesperson, then as president of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, Saro Wiwa led a non-violent campaign against environmental degradation of the land and natural waters of Ogoniland by the operations of multinational oil companies, especially Shell.

He was also an outspoken critic of the Nigerian government which he viewed as reluctant to enforce proper environmental regulations on the foreign oil companies operating in the area.

At the peak of his non-violent campaign, Saro Wiwa was arrested, hastily tried by a special military tribunal and hanged in 1995 by the Nigerian military government of Gen Sani Abacha on charges widely viewed as entirely politically motivated and unfounded.

His execution provoked international outrage and resulted in Nigeria’s suspension from the Commonwealth of Nations.

Today, the Delta region is an environmental nightmare. The people of Nigeria were promised prosperity for all. Did that happen? Not at all.

There was no equitable distribution of wealth and hundreds of thousands of people continue to live in abject poverty whilst those in powerful political positions have access to untold wealth.

The social breakdown that occurred led to kidnapping and crime on such a scale that foreign visitors today think several times before daring to set foot in the country.

The simple fact is that big money corrupts, no matter if it be big money in Asia, America, Europe or Africa. Human nature is the same the world over and Uganda is no exception.

Because of this fact, safeguards have to be put in place now for the long-term welfare of the people and the country.

Uganda is, without question, one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. Despite the ravages of recent years, thanks to careful planning by the Wildlife Authority and others, the national parks are some of the finest in the world.

The editorial in The New Vision on August 25, wisely pointed out the concerns felt by many regarding the developments proposed in Murchison National Park.

I think it is impossible to prevent oil extraction in that region. It appears that the deposits are so great that to call a halt is simply unrealistic.

What is not unrealistic is to make sure, absolutely sure, that everything possible is done to keep the intrusion to an absolute minimum.

The situation needs to be expertly monitored. Here is a key point. Such monitoring cannot be done effectively by the Government or agencies within the country itself.

Individuals and groups can and will be intimidated. That always happens when big money is at stake.

Local decision makers will be offered huge sums in return for cutting corners. Oil companies are not coming to Uganda out of concern for the poor man or woman.

They are coming to make money for themselves and their shareholders. It is much too difficult for a local monitoring group to deal with the pressures that any such group will face. What is urgently needed now is an external monitoring group with teeth.

A group that will carefully monitor every step of the development and keep the people of Uganda and the world informed.

There will be some in Uganda and beyond who will not welcome such a group. They will say they do not want foreign interference and Uganda can quite well manage its own affairs.

When that is said, we need to remind ourselves that all men and women regardless of race, creed or profession can easily give way to corruption, especially when such vast sums of money are at stake.

Bribes, payoffs, short term gains are the way of the modern world and we are creating a living hell for future generations.

Let me conclude by saying as a long-term friend of Uganda, that I sincerely hope this newfound wealth will go some way to dealingwith the problems that I mentioned earlier.

The poor men, women and children of this country deserve a better deal. If they are to get that deal, then now is the time for the international agencies to act and get together a multi-disciplinary group to watch each and every step.

It is in the best interest of the country and it ought to concern all who love andcare for this land.

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