Topic: Offshore Drilling
Country: Cameroon
Delegate Name: Corrina Ulrich
School: Traverse City West High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Cameroon position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
The worldwide growing demand for oil provides great economic opportunity for any nation that possesses this valuable commodity. Although the West has traditionally been the largest consumer of fossil fuel products, the rise of the Chinese and Indian economies in the last two decades has created a larger demand for petroleum-based fuels which promises to grow rapidly in the 21st century. This demand offers the nation of Cameroon a priceless opportunity to tap the wealth of its natural resources and use that wealth to better the lives of its citizens.
The Cameroon economy is largely dependent on the sale of its principal exports. After a long and difficult recession, the Cameroon government has demonstrated its ability to institute economic reforms such as the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility. Under the excellent leadership of President Paul Biya, Cameroon enjoys a level of political and social stability rare in Africa. It is in such an environment that a robust, growing petroleum industry can thrive.
While the negative aspects of offshore drilling are often focused upon, they may not be allowed to eclipse the potential gain for humanity from the harnessing of such a resource. Major developments have been made in improving the safety of acquiring oil located under our world's oceans through long-reach drilling. Experienced and technically-advanced oil companies should be welcomed into oil-rich Third World countries to negotiate agreements with the government in order to facilitate the offshore drilling for oil. Governments with expanded resources would then be able to finance development and relief programs for their people, lifting them out of poverty and providing jobs for the future prosperity of the county.
