The Fisherwomen, Chevron and the Leaking Pipe
Fishing people in Nigeria
The fisherwomen are among the very industrious workers in the riverine district of the Niger Delta region. Today it seems they have a major complaint against Chevron. They say Chevon is allowing one of its pipes to leak. But they are stymied by the intransigence of the Chevron people.
They noticed an oil system that was leaking but at first they had no way to know where it came from.
Then, out with some other fisherwomen one day in February, she said they spotted something bubbling up to the river’s surface. Ms. Joseph (one of the women) steered her oil-blackened canoe closer.
Far below her snaked a pipe. The American oil giant Chevron laid that pipe 46 years before, according to many neighbors of Ms. Joseph who were there at the time, and now, they said, it was leaking.
Chevron says no oil was spilling from its pipes. But by March 26, the women had organized a delegation of 100s. These women paddled out on hand-carved canoes or were carried by speedboats!
They climbed up Chevron’s ladders. They scaled Chevron’s wire fences, dropping down on the other side. They shook palm fronds and banged plastic bottles, singing protest songs.
Then they settled in to wait.
After 10 days, the men asked them to return home. So they did. But they are still waiting!
The land in their region
Meanwhile, two guards are stationed near their home, so that Chevron cannot sneak in and fix the pipe unobserved. Planes keep flying overhead. Chevron says they are there to make sure no pipes are leaking.
All the women really want is for Chevron to make them “whole,” that is, give them supplies as a step in the investigation. And then proceed with the investigation, as promised.
The delicate ecosystem of the Niger Delta, once teeming with plant and animal life, is today one of the most polluted places on the planet. . . The fisherwomen who staged the protest didn’t want Chevron out — they just wanted the oil spill stopped, and an investigation started. And maybe some sacks of cassava or rice to tide them over until they could fish again.
Book I Read
How Beautiful We Were
I just finished reading a book by a Cameroonian author. She is Imbolo Mbue, and wrote the new book, “How Beautiful We Were.”
It relates to a village (I’m guessing it’s Nigeria) where the people are again devastated by big oil.
The village is hit by the big oil company. The oil company keeps leaning on them, asking them to be patient.
One of the people in the village is a supporter of big oil. He keeps reminding people to be content and have a good life. But they cannot.
Finally one of the women in the village goes on to Washington to make protestations about big oil companies. She succeeds only after many years. But the village has been emptied out by then. This book was very sad.
Her first novel, “Behold The Dreamers,” was published in 2016. That book won the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction.
My Daughter Gets Me Excited
My daughter Beth emailed me yesterday morning with her news. She said the participation of OGN (Organon) to: “license the global development, manufacturing, and commercial rights to ebopiprant,” may gain them another $500 million over the long term!
They just heard about it.
She was relieved to be done with all the due diligence for this drug. It had lasted months, she said! But she was very excited!
8 Comments
Leave a reply →