Showing posts with label Nigeria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nigeria. Show all posts

Friday, April 19, 2013

International

Fuel price protests

If the international market is any indicator, fuel prices are set to rise again in India. Trouble seems to be coming in from another African nation, this time Nigeria, that may lead to a spurt in international crude oil prices and is most certain to have a knock-on effect on domestic fuel prices of most countries. Hit by a continuing strike by major labour groups, there has been a constant worry about oil supply disruptions from Nigeria. The country is Africa’s top oil producer and pumps out 2 million barrel-per-day. Already, the worry seems to be reflected in the West Texas Intermediate crude price, which rose by by 3 cents for February trade. Brent North Sea too saw a spike in its crude prices by 37 cents, reaching $110.81. The labour protests, which are the main cause behind this international worry, are in response to the Nigerian government withdrawing the popular fuel subsidy provided by it to its citizens. These protests have, of late, morphed into nationwide protests and have become an outlet for thousands to vent their grievances against what they see as a venal ruling political class and an incompetent government. While the government has not yet withdrawn it’s decision, it has agreed to slash fuel prices. Following this announcement, several labour organizations withdrew their strikes and urged the public to go home but resentment continues to simmer.

Ford recalls suvs

The American multinational automaker Ford is recalling nearly half a million minivans and SUVs because of mechanical issues. The Michigan-based automaker is recalling 539,000 sport utility vehicles, including Ford Escape, Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans in two separate recalls. The first recall involves 286,000 Ford Escape SUVs manufactured during 2001-02, which have been found to have defective anti-lock brakes module. The second recall involves 253,000 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans made during the 2004 and 2005 model years, which are reported to suffer from a torque converter malfunction.


Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles
 
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Tuesday, December 04, 2012

MNCS: INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, POLLUTION, AND MONEY POWER

MNCs are hailed as national treasures in some countries; but their devil-may-care attitude results in many tragedies – both industrial and health – making them reasons for global shame

And when some 200 women protested against Dow for its meagre response and for not really taking any proactive mechanisms to clean up the area stacked with dangerous toxic waste which spreads many gas related diseases in the small town Bhopal, Dow sued them in return for raising voice against the company using it’s political, monetary and muscle power. When an explosion and fire ruined a fireworks factory belonging to Bright Sparkles Sdn.

Bhd. at Sungai Buloh, Malaysia in 1991, causing 22 deaths and injuring 103, Bright Sparkles remained lukewarm in helping victims and their families and compensating the environmental damages it has caused. The lethal leak of phosgene gas in a Thai petrochemical company, Thai Polycarbonate Co., which killed only one but injured over hundreds, evoked almost no unified response, despite shocking proof being there of repeated calls earlier on warning of a possible leak. And the fiery explosion at one of the largest oil refineries of British Petroleum in Texas City in 2005, is another example of such unabashed irresponsibility. Well, BP has had a sparkling record of fatal accidents for the last few decades. Honourably so, it is the eighth largest polluter in the US, releasing over 5.1 million tonnes of pollutants with many harmful toxic gases like carcinogens, causing serious health ill-effects to 30,000 people living within three mile radius of its units. But while FBI investigation and imposition of new laws and fines continues, BP operates mercifully at worse levels.

On another front, Nigeria has redefined corporate social irresponsibility. Companies like Shell, ExxonMobil and Chevron are reaping off the nation’s oil industry but continue showing deliberate negligence to protecting the environment, human life and the locality which have been affected by the gas leakage and flares in their plants or refineries.

Protocols like the Kyoto one are more stupidly chivalrous rather than being autocratically (and logically) regulatory. International agencies have to necessarily regulate MNCs with an iron hand, than play to the lobby gallery.


Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

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