At press conference,  the Governor lies about climate change; Abel horrified

03 Nov At press conference,  the Governor lies about climate change; Abel horrified

The next morning at ten o’clock, Idi Camp sat beside Governor Huud on the dais listening to Doctor Maka’s keynote address. The room was filled with dozens of university professors, government officials, students and above all, the press, reporters and photographers from newspapers and television stations.

Camp noticed Huud had arranged for a videographer to record the entire conference, which was scheduled to last late into the afternoon. He also took note that there was a foreign television crew on hand, photographing the participants and taking down their words. This was, no doubt, meant to be a conduit to the wider world, spreading Nigeria’s message.

When Camp had arrived, he walked past a “press tent,” where tables had been set up to hand out literature on global warming and its particular effect on countries of the sub-Sahara. Hastily printed pamphlets and brochures were available, and representatives from the Federal Ministry of Environment, the country’s meteorological department, were on hand to answer questions and proselytize.

Doctor Maka, as head of the Environmental Agency, was the keynote speaker. When Camp passed the press tent and saw the Environmental Agency was handing out materials, he entered and tried to find Doctor Maka but was told he was with the governor. Camp continued to the hall where the conference was taking place and was given an ID badge, identifying him as a “speaker,” and shown to the dais.

Camp wondered why he was wearing a speaker’s badge. He was simply an attendee as far as he knew, but he assumed this was to give more credibility to the proceedings. Maybe all government commissioners were “speakers.” It was all phoney anyway. Why should the ID badges be any different?

Camp listened to Doctor Maka. The fact that Maka was doing this made Camp sad. His colleague knew that this was a charade, and yet he obviously was going along with it. In fact, he was acting as Governor Huud’s poster boy.

Maka was speaking of changes in sea levels and weather patterns and sea activity. Maps and slides of charts and graphs continually changed behind him. At the moment, a large projection of a map of Nigeria was up. It highlighted in red areas of the country affected by the changes he discussed.

“Only two days ago, there was a storm surge at Lagos beach, claiming the lives of four beachcombers, including a foreigner,” Maka noted, speaking in an authoritative assured voice. “The sea rose over what used to be sprawling sand. It also flooded official buildings and plush residences adjoining the beach. That was the fifth such incident in the last two years; and, in fact, we can only be grateful to God that so far we have lost only twenty-five lives to the boiling sea.”

Camp thought about the fact that Nigeria’s Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research lacked modern equipment to monitor sea waves effectively. Of course, Maka didn’t make note of this fact. He defended Tinnaka State, saying it depended on the Nigerian federal government for some 87 per cent of its revenue. With such dependence, the purchasing of expensive equipment was difficult, if not impossible.

Camp had to agree, this was true, but pointing this out only masked the fact that what funds had been given to Tinnaka State had been misappropriated.  Maka skipped over this detail and was going on again about scientific research and things beyond Nigeria’s control.

“The level of the sea is rising all over the world as well as here in Nigeria. Experts have predicted a rise in the sea level of between 0.56 and 3.68 metres by the end of the next century. What makes the situation scarier in the particular case of Nigeria is that our five-hundred-kilometre coastline is generally low-lying, rising in many places only about one meter or less above sea level.

“Of course, other disadvantages to our country are the boisterous nature of the Atlantic Ocean, one of the most violent of all oceans, the actively subsiding geosynclines of which our coastal zone is part, and the alarming rate of erosion recorded over twenty meters in many coastal areas.”

Maka paused so the audience could absorb these sobering details before continuing.  A slide came up behind him showing a bar graph which tracked the effect of all this, as if reducing it all to numbers somehow put it under control.

“The cumulative effect of all these worrisome factors is an increased vulnerability of the nation’s shoreline to storm surges, and especially to the rise of the sea level. Already about twenty coastal settlements, including historical villages, have been relocated five or more times because of flooding associated with storms.”

Camp moved in his seat, becoming impatient. It was all true, but all so beside the point. Maka continued. “This sea activity put our ports and harbours in jeopardy and, of course, so much of our economy depends on shipping. That is one point.

“Second, of the five thousand industrial establishments in the country, no fewer than eighty per cent of them are clustered in the coast.

“Third, two refineries, at least one of which is in the north, and all our petrochemical industries, as well as our oil production and export handling of the products, are confined to the coastal areas.”

The slide changed back to the large map of the country, this time highlighting the two areas of concern, Tinnaka State and southern coastal areas.

“The sea is threatening the south just as desertification and drought are threatening the north, leaving us with two oncoming disasters. I believe you know the situation in the northern part of the country and in Tinnaka in particular.

“Half of our state has been stripped bare and parched dry by drought. Climate experts agree that although variations in the weather are natural, the nation’s and indeed the world’s experience in the past years portends a trend that is getting more frightening by the day. Now everybody is complaining about unusual heat, even along the coastal zones.”

A new graph indicating heat variations appeared behind the doctor. Camp gazed back at it and felt overwhelmed by the problem. He was almost convinced himself there was little Nigeria could do but endure. Then he shook himself from the stupor and reminded himself that there were massive aquifers the size of small oceans under the soil. Why the hell wasn’t Maka talking about that? Camp could show him some charts that would demarcate their location. But Maka droned on.

“The Meteorological Services Department has observed that our nation’s temperatures, with normal means of about twenty-eight degrees in the south and about twenty-four degrees in the north, increase by between one degree and two degrees yearly. If the situation continues unchecked we may well be living in hell fire in the near future.”

A stirring in the audience told Camp that Maka as making an impact, and Maka seized the moment to press the advantage.

“People here in Tinnaka need not be told this for they are experiencing it. The desert is at their doors. We know why it is happening. What we need is to be told what can be done about it.”

Camp sat up. At least Maka was going to address the issue of action, and he was fairly confident that prayer to the rain gods could not be on the agenda.

“Climatologists worldwide predict that by the year two thousand and fifty, which is less than a half-century away, global warming will send temperatures higher by as much as nine degrees, an increase far greater than any in recorded history. Already the nine hottest years of the earth’s history on record have all occurred in the last half-century, and as I said earlier, the disasters we have had to battle in this country in the recent past are all the result of global warming.”

Again, Maka paused for effect. “Whatever harm has been done, has been done. We can only reduce the future damage, having at the back of our minds the sort of world we want our children and grandchildren to inherit.”

So, Camp wondered, what will he tell us to do?

“We must take these facts to the UN and press them to insist that the industrialized nations of the world police their own polluting. We, as a small developing country can do nothing to stop this trend ourselves. We have only two wedges, a plea to moral action, an appeal to the consciences of the wealthy, and our oil.”

There was a murmur in the crowd at the mention of oil. What was he getting at?

“We should withhold our oil or put the price ever higher until the industrial nations comply. They need it. We have it. Let them pay for it with more than money. Let them pay for it by acting to save our country and our people from death and starvation!”

There was thunderous applause at this conclusion, and Huud looked around, very pleased with the response. “It is my sincere opinion that the industrialized countries are guilty of the emission of greenhouse gases and we are unwitting victims!”

Camp felt completely betrayed. Maka had swept the issue of wells. He had buried it completely, and the rest of the seminar would only reinforce what he had set in motion.

The rest of the day would be wasted on figuring out ways to bring their case to the world. Maka had given them the facts, and now it was up to the rest of make the appeal.

Maka sat down to more applause, and Huud got up.

“Thank you, doctor, for that informative and inspiring lecture. It brings to mind the saying that ‘the lizard does not eat hot pepper so the frog can fan its mouth.’ What I mean is that since the industrialized countries are most guilty of depleting the ozone layer and increasing the methane content in the atmosphere and so on, our slower reaction to the problem to date should not be misconstrued by either them or our people as indifference.”

A murmur of assent followed. Then, Huud continued, “Let this conference be a call to action by our small country. We will fight to make the air breathable for all, the water plentiful and the coastline once again fruitful and secure!”

A great cheer went up and the TV cameras rolled. And Huud waved and smiled and led the cheering.

At the lunch break, Camp tried to avoid the press, and when he got cornered he tried to avoid answering any questions directly. He demurred, said that Maka’s points were valid and well-taken and that he was only the Commissioner of Agriculture and his responsibilities were much narrower in scope. His concern was the problems of food production and the loss of arable land, a loss that increased yearly.

Camp finally saw Maka retreat from the throng and find solace behind the hall under the shade of a large tree. Camp strolled out and joined him as the doctor smoked a cigarette and rested on a wooden crate.

The two men acknowledge one another. They had at one time been very friendly. When Maka first arrived from Chicago, he and Camp had spent hours going over the problems of the state and making plans to tap the generous reserves of water that lay underground. They calculated together how many deep wells would be required to bring back some of the agricultural output lost to desertification. But then Maka came under Huud’s influence, or more precisely that of his wife, Rika. She began meeting with Maka twice a week in her private offices, and Camp noted that shortly thereafter Maka moved, with his family, into a large elegant house in the best area of the city. Camp suspected Maka had been recruited and bought, but they had never discussed it. And in fact, they had not seen much of one another for months.

Camp had invited Maka and his wife to dinner several times, but some conflict always came up. Then Camp tried to see Maka during business hours, but again, Maka kept cancelling. He would communicate through underlings, and it became clear to Camp that Maka was avoiding him.

Now the man couldn’t, unless he wanted to dash off as Camp approached.

“Doctor Camp. How are you?”

Camp sat across from Maka on a similar wood crate. He removed his cap. “Hot at the moment.”

“Well, we are discussing global warming. Perhaps I could use you as an example.”

Camp smiled thinly, and then spoke. “I think what you said this morning was accurate and needed to be said.”

This was meant to get Maka to relax, since it was apparent the man was wary of Camp. Maka nodded. “Thank you. It’s what we all know. These greedy rich nations must be brought to account.”

“And what of Nigeria? There was a time when we agreed we couldn’t wait to be helped. That we would have to help ourselves.”

“Of course. That’s why I suggested using oil as a carrot. They do what is right, they get our oil for less. You know, the Middle East is getting more unstable, so oil consumers are turning to us.”

“I was speaking of water. You know as well as I do that it’s available. We need to drill wells. We discussed this countless times.”

“Money is tight right now, doctor. Next year…”

“Next year thousands will be dead. Why are you playing along with this charade? You know what needs to be said.”

Maka stood up as if to flee. He was clearly through talking, but he turned to Camp. “Don’t be stupid, Idi. There’s nothing we can do. Only survive. Next year, I will see to it the wells are dug. You have my word. But for now, keep your head down and do not make waves. Please.”

“Have you been threatened?”

“They don’t need to make an overt threat and you know it. I hear talk, Idi, talk that you may be trying to bring this all into the open. I don’t know who you’re talking to, but be careful.”

“What makes you think I’m talking to anyone?” Camp was alarmed but tried to remain casual.

“There are rumours. And you know if rumours are repeated often enough, people assume they are facts; then they act. Do what you have to do to protect your family. I beg you. Don’t martyr yourself. It’s not worth the price.”

With that, Maka exited, Camp looking after him, shaken. This was a warning, a clear warning. Had someone already been making threats against him beyond the message to his wife? He had no idea, but he could guess his conversation with Huud the other day did not help matters.

As Camp made his way back to the dais for the afternoon session, he saw Huud approaching. Camp’s first instinct was to go the other direction, but Huud had seen him and was waving him over.

“How did you like the morning session, Doctor?” Huud asked.

“Very inspiring, sir. A fine call to action.” Camp, with Maka’s warning still ringing in his ears, decided to play along.

“I’m glad to hear you say so. I would like you to make a short address to begin the afternoon session.”

This stunned Camp. He had had no inkling. And it meant he would have to praise the call to action. “I’m honoured, governor, but really, I have nothing prepared.”
“Your ability to speak extempore is well-known, doctor. And you only need to make a very short statement.”

“Of what? I really have nothing to add of substance. It was all covered so well in Doctor Maka’s speech.”

“On the contrary, you are the most visible internationally known figure in my cabinet, and some endorsement from you will be very helpful.”

Camp’s heart sank. How could he in good conscience make a statement backing this call to action? If he did, he would be helping to perpetuate the scandal. What if he got up and just said what he thought? Cameras were rolling, newspaper people were taking down every word. He could make a statement.

But to what effect? The video would probably be confiscated, the newspaper stories quashed or countered with propaganda. He would no doubt find himself in jail. Or perhaps he would be taken off and quietly killed. A roadside “accident.” Worse, his family might be in jeopardy.

All these reasons and more had spurred Camp to approach Chief Benson and The Zodiac. Peter Abel was investigating this minute, and Benson had managed to let him know that his reporter was making progress.

But could Camp live with himself if he got up and made bald-face statements which were completely meaningless? He rationalized that he could simply agree with the strategy, which in fact was valid as far as it went.

“I’d be delighted to speak, governor. As long as you don’t hold me to the kind of eloquence with which Doctor Maka spoke this morning.”

“Whatever you say will be fine. I have faith in you.”  Huud walked away without shaking his hand. As far as Huud was concerned, he had Camp in his pocket.

Once Camp was standing at the podium, the image of Huud walking away so smugly flashed into his mind. It occurred to Camp that he might never again have such a forum with which to speak. He could talk about corruption; call on the federal government of Nigeria to bring in its anti-corruption team. He could ask why it was only three wells had been dug when they had been given over $25 million to boost agriculture. Nobody could answer those questions without coming to the conclusion that the money had been stolen. In his mind, Camp saw the governor and his people carted off to jail and wells springing up all over Tinnaka State. But when he spoke none of this came out of his mouth.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I can only second Doctor Maka’s stirring call to action. We are victims of bully boys from the industrialized world, and it is up to us to stand up to them and fight back.”

Camp went on for a few minutes in the same vein, saying everything he knew was expected of him. When he looked down at Huud, the governor was smiling.

When he was finished, Camp walked back to his seat. His eyes met Maka’s briefly, and something passed between them. Camp saw in Maka’s eyes a look of pity and sadness. Maka obviously knew what his speech cost Camp, but he also knew that Camp had now capitulated. He was on board, officially, neutralised as far as Huud and his crew were concerned.

Camp sat heavily next to Huud. Maka would probably be delighted to accept a dinner invitation now. Only now, Camp had no desire to keep his company.

That night, Camp sat on the edge of his bed, face buried in his hands. Tears rolled from his eyes down his cheeks. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to find his beloved Theodora standing over him. She sat beside her husband.

“Are you very disappointed in me?” he asked.

“You did what you had to do, my love. Like all men do.” But in her words, meant to comfort, he thought he detected a hint of regret, as if he had indeed let her down.  In that moment, he hated himself.  He had betrayed everything he had been. And he wondered if he had lost more than he hoped to gain by remaining silent.