Oil Exploitation and the Quest for Restructuring: Echoes from the Creeks in Anekwe Emmanuel's <i>The Liquid Black-Gold</i>

Abstract

The perceived marginalisation of some of the federating units of the entity called Nigeria in devolution of power and management of  natural resources was what ignited agitations for restructuring of the federating units. The income from oil which was and is still a boom  to the Nigerian Economy is a doom to the Nigeria Delta region where the oil wells are located. Years of exploration by foreign oil  companies have left in its trail sorrow, tears and blood. This manifested in environmental degradation as evidenced in pollution of water  resources and destruction of farmlands. Irked by the generation of wealth to manage the federating units from their land without  adequate compensation, the region is the most vocal in agitation for resource control and restructuring. Militancy to draw the attention  of the Federal Government to their plight culminated in destruction of oil installations. Kidnapping and hostage taking as dramatised in  the film, The Liquid Black-Gold. The armed struggled in the Creeks of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria is captured to sensitise the authorities and populace on the bleeding poverty that breads crime. There is also the lampooning of the community leaders who are the collaborations with the multi-national companies in the exploitation of their own kinsmen for self aggrandisement. The cinematic  narration advocate for change of mindset from combative approach to arrest the attention of the stakeholders to dehumanising  conditions of the Niger Delta Creeks to embracing constructive engagement as typified in dialogue and persuation. There is also the  pricking of the conscience of the representatives of the people and the oil companies to de-emphasize pecuniary gains for service to  humanity. It is believed that, adequate rehabilitation of human and natural resources in the region could stem the tide of agitations for  resource control and restructuring.