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Oil Cities in Africa: Beyond Just Transition

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  • Franklin Obeng‐Odoom

Abstract

Nations and NGOs are promoting the idea of a transition from a petroleum‐based civilization to one fueled by renewable energy. But there are many questions about how to proceed. The solution usually proposed is to develop “clean energy” as the underlying basis of a transition. Analysts tend to be concerned with climate change and land use change, with a focus on technical developments. Socio‐ecological issues receive scant attention, especially if they relate to oil cities. This article starts from the perspective that progress in saving the planet from destruction can only be achieved by taking seriously past and present injustices and taking measures to rectify them. I use the situation in Port Harcourt, Nigeria to illustrate this proposition. I focus on three interrelated concepts: rent theft, social costs, and just transition. The central problem is rent theft because it is at the root of the “crime of poverty” and the social costs of plundering the land for energy sources. Until they address problems arising from historical injustice, campaigns for a just transition that promote clean energy in a bioeconomy will merely reproduce the central problem. Thus, reparations and land equity must be an integral part of any solution.

Suggested Citation

  • Franklin Obeng‐Odoom, 2021. "Oil Cities in Africa: Beyond Just Transition," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 80(2), pages 777-821, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:ajecsc:v:80:y:2021:i:2:p:777-821
    DOI: 10.1111/ajes.12390
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Belinda Archibong, 2018. "Historical origins of persistent inequality in Nigeria," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(3), pages 325-347, July.
    2. Moore, Mick & Prichard, Wilson & Fjeldstad, Odd-Helge, 2018. "Taxing Africa," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, number 9781783604548, Febrero.
    3. Cyrus Bina, 1992. "The Laws of Economic Rent and Property:," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(2), pages 187-204, April.
    4. Agaptus Nwozor & John Olanrewaju & Modupe Ake & Onjefu Okidu, 2020. "Oil and its discontents: the political economy of artisanal refining in Nigeria," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(166), pages 662-675, October.
    5. Moussa P. Blimpo & Malcolm Cosgrove-Davies, 2019. "Electricity Access in Sub-Saharan Africa [Accès à l’électricité en Afrique subsaharienne]," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 31333, December.
    6. Franklin Obeng†Odoom, 2018. "Transnational Corporations and Urban Development," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 77(2), pages 447-510, March.
    7. Mason Gaffney, 2016. "Nature, Economy, and Equity: Sacred Water, Profane Markets," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 75(5), pages 1064-1231, November.
    8. Bart Hawkins Kreps & Clifford W. Cobb, 2020. "Editors' Introduction: Transition to a Low‐Energy Future," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 79(3), pages 617-649, May.
    9. Moore, Mick & Prichard, Wilson & Fjeldstad, Odd-Helge, 2018. "Taxing Africa: Coercion, Reform and Development," Working Papers 13997, Institute of Development Studies, International Centre for Tax and Development.
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