GDES3003
– Task 1
The problem with oil seemed to be the most worrying issue covered in
the film. It’s clear that all the oil companies are interested in is money and
as a business there’s not a problem with this. However this is a problem when
oil levels are low. In one section of the film they were just burning/wasting
gas as it was deemed too dangerous to be taken elsewhere. It was also mentioned
that the info structure used was just enough to do the job of burning the gas,
basically they will save as much money as possible and nothing not needed ill
not be built. For the future the company should be trying to save this gas
making it usable anywhere in the world. Even if the gas were used in that
particular country due to safety issue then at least it would not be completely
wasted.
An article found online explains how pollution in Nigeria rivers has
failed to be cleaned up by Shell(oil company) or the government. This pollution
has contaminated drinking water for at least 10 communities in this area of
Nigeria. When reading this it really does make you think why Shell has the
right to come to these areas and effectively take away the only source of water
for these already struggling communities. The answer at the end of the day is
money. The company should agree to help the communities that it is effecting,
starting by giving these people some safe drinkable water in some way this
being helped the government as well who don’t seem to care either way.
In the film there was a section involving health centre that was being
built and funding by Shell, this giving locals vital medical supplies as well
as jobs. This project had been abandoned in the early stages with Shell stating
it could not be continued due to risk of abduction. With it not being a ‘safe’ place
a work they simply stopped everything being built, again saving them money.
This became an issue for one girl who had dreamed of working in the medical
centre as her current way of making money had been destroyed due to oil
pollution caused by Shell.
