An oil child’s story of resistance

Text: Adesuwa James Jang Illustration: Chela Yego

The human cost of oil extraction

16 years ago, Peremoboere settled by the bank of Otuabagi’s community river with her toes dipping in the cool, moist soil. The waters were gold with the sun’s rays and she was surrounded by the scents of the soil and the fresh fish. This was the same river that her father had fished in for years; a source of not just food, but livelihood.

Having spent most of her life in this remote part of Bayelsa State in Nigeria, all Peremoboere knew growing up was fishing, the sounds of the chirping birds and the smell of this river. She did not attend school – but that didn’t really matter much to her; the river was her school; the mangroves, her play area.

Hers is a story of pollution as a result of oil extraction. The change was gradual and began with a tale of false hope. At first, when we heard the sounds of heavy machines in the distance, we believed what we’d been told by the companies in charge of the machinery – that this would bring progress to our community and our lands.

Then we started catching fewer fish. Eventually, the water in our beloved river came to look like a sad imitation of its former self. Oil floated on its surface, and the water – once full of life – was empty of fish, and emitted the sickening stench of death.

An oil child’s story of resistance

Text: Adesuwa James Jang Illustration: Chela Yego

The human cost of oil extraction