The systematic theft, sale and illegal refining of up to 20% of Nigeria’s oil output in the Niger Delta is one of the world’s most significant natural resource crimes. Nigeria’s oil dependence makes it vulnerable to price shocks, yet unable to meet its own refining shortfall.
Despite the drain on the economy, responses are polarised. State security forces treat the offences with ‘extreme prejudice’ while Niger Deltan citizens justify illegal refining as a necessity despite its health and environmental toll. This seminar will explore alternate approaches to the crisis as well as the impact of the current Niger Delta-wide social and environmental problem.
Chairperson: Allan Ngari, Senior Researcher, ISS
Opening Remarks: Clément Boutillier, Team Leader Democracy, Governance and Migration, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS
Speakers:
Robin Cartwright, Researcher and Senior Fellow, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, London
Fyneface Dumnamene, Environmental justice activist and Executive Director, Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Nenibarini Zabbey, Professor of Hydrobiology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Enquiries:
Catherine Moat, [email protected]
Photo © International Policy Digest
