The Niger Delta Found in Nigeria and the Increase in Revenue and Resource Control

NATURAL RESOURCES
Name:
Institutional Affiliation
Natural Resources
Introduction
Natural resources remain an integral part of the society, an aspect that acts as a source of income for different economies. Developing economies are known for their dependence on natural resources in supporting most of their livelihoods. According to estimates, close to half of the population in the world are direct dependants on local natural resources such as oil, minerals, timber among other sources (Gandossi & Von Estorff, 2015). However, recent studies have proved that conflicts and natural resources are correlated, an aspect that is evident in several economies such as Nigeria.
The Niger Delta found in Nigeria has over time been considered as a hotbed of conflicts. This region has significantly been embroiled with turmoil’s that result from the struggle for control of its vast resources, an aspect that has resulted in controversial issues over the causes of these struggles. In close association to these controversies lies the confusion over the increase in revenue and resource control.
As a result of the increasing demand for natural and mineral resources, an aspect that is affected by the degradation of the environment and climatic changes, competitive pressures have been excreted thus creating conflicts between communities over resource ownership, access and use. According to several experts, natural resources have turned out to be the drivers of the growing disputes that have affected national security and peace in many economies (Gandossi & Von Estorff, 2015). In order to solve these problems and establish a viable solution into natural resource extraction and use, this paper seeks to evaluate Dr. Klare’s views on oil production. Klare is known for his vast experience on natural resources, an aspect that forms the foundation of this paper in determining the dangers of these products on the environment and its surroundings.
Background Information
It is estimated that approximately 38% of the world’s crude oil is extracted from the countries in the Middle East and consumed in the global markets. North America is currently perceived as the largest consumer of oil, followed by Europe, Asia, and other world regions. North America imports close to 13.8 million barrels of this product on a daily basis, an element that point out to its consideration as the largest importer of oil products from Middle East (Gandossi & Von Estorff, 2015). Oil from the Middle East countries such as the Persian Gulf is known to account for 20% of U.S oil imports, with this dependence growing each and every fiscal year.
However, it is important to point that U.S remains one of the highest producers of crude oil, with this nation’s current consumption of oil and petroleum products standing at 19 million barrels in a day. In accordance to this, the domestic production rate of this nation fails to handle the demand of this product, hence pointing out to its reliance of imported crude oil from other economies. As a result of the abnormal appetite and dependency on oil products, the United States has seen several of its officials engage in corrupt practices with the ai...