Comments on: Is Chevron guilty of human rights violations? http://blogs.epmag.com/rhonda/2008/10/30/is-chevron-guilty-of-human-rights-violations/ Rhonda Duey, Senior Editor Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:40:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Vince T http://blogs.epmag.com/rhonda/2008/10/30/is-chevron-guilty-of-human-rights-violations/#comment-466 Vince T Sun, 09 Nov 2008 01:55:41 +0000 http://blogs.epmag.com/rhonda/?p=20#comment-466 I worked in Nigeria for 3 years 2002-2005 and had responsibility for several offshore drilling rigs over the period. On two occasions rigs were taken over by militants under the guise of a strike, one time for 2 weeks! Every person on the rig was under threat of severe violence if they did not tow the line. The helideck was inaccessible and severe violence was threatened against workers if any attempt was made to effect a rescue. Some of those involved have never been able to work offshore again due to the trauma. Eventually it was resolved at the highest level in the Nigerian Government. I've got no sympathy for Bowoto who is almost certainly one of the thugs, and as for EarthRights... what about the right of workers to earn a living and care for their families and Chevron to conduct their business? Bowoto and ER are only targeting Chevron because to target the military or the Nigerian Government would get them killed! I worked in Nigeria for 3 years 2002-2005 and had responsibility for several offshore drilling rigs over the period. On two occasions rigs were taken over by militants under the guise of a strike, one time for 2 weeks! Every person on the rig was under threat of severe violence if they did not tow the line. The helideck was inaccessible and severe violence was threatened against workers if any attempt was made to effect a rescue. Some of those involved have never been able to work offshore again due to the trauma.
Eventually it was resolved at the highest level in the Nigerian Government.
I’ve got no sympathy for Bowoto who is almost certainly one of the thugs, and as for EarthRights… what about the right of workers to earn a living and care for their families and Chevron to conduct their business?
Bowoto and ER are only targeting Chevron because to target the military or the Nigerian Government would get them killed!

]]> By: JW http://blogs.epmag.com/rhonda/2008/10/30/is-chevron-guilty-of-human-rights-violations/#comment-459 JW Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:20:06 +0000 http://blogs.epmag.com/rhonda/?p=20#comment-459 In a trial both parties will exaggerate their positions in order to get a favorable ruling. Having lived & worked in Nigeria for 5 years (1998 - 2003), if I had to believe which account of events was closer to the truth (Chevron or EarthRights/Bowoto) then I would have to side with Chevron. The reason is with 'local fishermen' boarding all the offshore installations under a so-called 'peaceful demonstration' after the history of demanding money & jobs, Chevron would have no other recourse than to protect it's workers. And that means the government, thus police or military as Chevron operates on behalf of the Nigeria state oil company, and cannot send in security or other types of personnel. One can have separate discussions around poverty, inequality, corruption, etc, etc, but Chevron should not be held at fault for protecting their workers who are operating under difficult & threatening situations to provide us with energy. In a trial both parties will exaggerate their positions in order to get a favorable ruling. Having lived & worked in Nigeria for 5 years (1998 - 2003), if I had to believe which account of events was closer to the truth (Chevron or EarthRights/Bowoto) then I would have to side with Chevron. The reason is with ‘local fishermen’ boarding all the offshore installations under a so-called ‘peaceful demonstration’ after the history of demanding money & jobs, Chevron would have no other recourse than to protect it’s workers. And that means the government, thus police or military as Chevron operates on behalf of the Nigeria state oil company, and cannot send in security or other types of personnel. One can have separate discussions around poverty, inequality, corruption, etc, etc, but Chevron should not be held at fault for protecting their workers who are operating under difficult & threatening situations to provide us with energy.

]]> By: Spence http://blogs.epmag.com/rhonda/2008/10/30/is-chevron-guilty-of-human-rights-violations/#comment-458 Spence Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:05:14 +0000 http://blogs.epmag.com/rhonda/?p=20#comment-458 How many non-Nigerian workers were killed while working in the Delta each of the last 5 years? Was this incident the only known act of alleged violence or have there been many? This certainly would influence Chevron's decision making at the time... How many non-Nigerian workers were killed while working in the Delta each of the last 5 years? Was this incident the only known act of alleged violence or have there been many?

This certainly would influence Chevron’s decision making at the time…

]]> By: Robert Spoley http://blogs.epmag.com/rhonda/2008/10/30/is-chevron-guilty-of-human-rights-violations/#comment-457 Robert Spoley Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:48:38 +0000 http://blogs.epmag.com/rhonda/?p=20#comment-457 The facts are in dispute. Regardless! If a suit is to be filed it should be against the Nigerian military. Otherwise, if a U.S. soldier got involved in a similar incident, the suit would have to be forced against the U.S. taxpayer. Maybe put him in jail? Or kill him? Stupid! The facts are in dispute. Regardless! If a suit is to be filed it should be against the Nigerian military. Otherwise, if a U.S. soldier got involved in a similar incident, the suit would have to be forced against the U.S. taxpayer. Maybe put him in jail? Or kill him? Stupid!

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