Oilwatch Africa

Between 23 and 30 April 2012, thousands of Amnesty International activists from over 14 countries will participate in organized events and protests calling on Shell to stop hiding the devastating effects that their activities in the Niger Delta have in the life of the people and the environment

Amnesty International recently had a chat with Nnimmo Bassey, one of the most recognized environmental leaders in the country of Nigeria

Read the Spanish version of this interview here

Arguing that the climate crisis confronting the world today is rooted mainly in the wealthy economies’ abuse of fossil fuels, indigenous forests, and global commercial agriculture, this important book by Nnimmo Bassey investigates how Africa has been exploited and how Africans should respond for the good of all. As it examines the oil industry in Africa and probes the causes of global warming, this record warns of its insidious impacts and explores false solutions. Demonstrating that the issues around natural resource exploitation, corporate profiteering, and climate change must be considered together if the planet is to be saved, the book suggests how Africa can overcome the crises of environment and global warming.

Ghana has this month reverted to electricity rationing, thanks to unreliable Nigerian gas supplies. But petty bickering over the location of Ghana’s unduly delayed gas infrastructure to harness local gas will cost the country in many more ways than meets the eye. The delay is already estimated to cost the country and the Jubilee partners several hundred million dollars in unrealised potential revenue from oil production. And now the decision to relocate the US$1.2billion facility from Bonyere to Atuabo is undermining social stability in two coastal Nzema communities in the Western Region.

The 4th Oilwatch General Assembly held in the city of Quito in Ecuador on the 23rd and 24th of July, 2011. The conference comprised delegates from Africa, Asia and Soutn America. The epochal assembly followed the heels of a well attended international conference titled "New Global Hegemonies - Same Old Problem?". The conference was co-hosted by Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and Oilwatch.
The assembly affirmed that the network is expressly opposed to the continuation of the mode of civilisation driven by the use of fossil fuels. The network is undertaking a detailed study of the roots and consequences of the oil/fossil fuels civilisation. We are also looking at the idea of concrete alternatives.