The Myth of Militancy: Juxtaposing the Objectives of Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) against Contemporary Realities in the Niger Delta

Okoli, Rowland Chukwuma and Ntol, M.M (2014) The Myth of Militancy: Juxtaposing the Objectives of Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) against Contemporary Realities in the Niger Delta. GOUni Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 2 (1). pp. 35-46. ISSN 2550-7265

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Abstract

The study examined the environmental degradation resulting from the nature of oil exploration in the Niger Delta since the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in 1956. It assessed the objectives of the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) against the contemporary realities in the region. We anchored our analysis on the Marxian theory of social production and reproduction while secondary data were collected from documentary sources and analyzed via qualitative descriptive method. The study found that following the failure of peaceful agitation adopted by the oil bearing communities to actualize their demand for adequate compensation for environmental degradation caused by oil exploration and for fair share of oil revenue, people resorted to militancy. Consequently, various intervention programmes were put in place by the government to meet the demands of the people. However, empirical evidence shows that these government intervention programmes failed to meet the demands of the oil bearing communities and militant groups. Similarly, despite the high level militancy, MEND as a militant group has not achieved its stated objectives. It is expected that agitations and demonstrations would continue in the Niger Delta and will continue to disrupt oil exploration in the region. Based on our findings, we recommend inter alia that the government and International Oil Companies (IOCs) should collaborate with the local communities to evolve long term development programme that does not only focus on giving out funds to Commissions set up by government but would specifies how to gainfully engage and support the local people to continue in their agricultural activities without being disrupted by environmental degradation resulting from oil exploration by IOCs.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Management and Social Sciences
Depositing User:	GOUNI ICT
Date Deposited:	06 May 2018 17:29
Last Modified:	14 May 2019 11:11
URI:	http://eprints.gouni.edu.ng/id/eprint/22

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