Nigeria: Guns & Oil
21-minutes, 2006
Ref: 505

Shell is under fire in Nigeria. A group called Mend targets oilworkers with car bombs and hostage taking. The crisis has hampered oil production and inflated world market prices. Both sides have a clear PR-strategy. The rebels pose as Robin Hood, fighting the rich multinationals. The oil-industry has journalists arrested. In the vicinity of Shell-offices and plants different rules apply. It's like a flashback to the days of the military regime. Power cuts that last for days in the world's six biggest oil-producer. In the villages there are no public services at all, there is little economic development and democracy is a farce. What went wrong in Nigeria? What is Shell's role in it? This story is about good intentions and hidden agendas, bribes in the name of charity. And about the grubby hands of a hero.