Since oil was discovered in the Niger Delta in 1956, over 400 billion dollars worth has been pumped out of these fertile grounds. The Delta, the third largest wetland in the world, has become the main source of foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria yet it remains the least developed area of the country. These images document daily life along the Niger Delta, its inhabitants and the conditions in which they live.
In the rain-soaked, congested streets of Port Harcourt, a young man sells traditional potions for virility.
In the rain-soaked, congested streets of Port Harcourt, a young man sells traditional potions for virility.
Crayfish are arranged on racks to prepare for drying in the fishing village of Finima.
Crayfish are arranged on racks to prepare for drying in the fishing village of Finima.
With the Mobil Exxon Gas Plant across the water, fishermen arrive to drop their catches of bonga fish, gold fish, silver fish and crayfish.
In the fishing village of Finima, local men cut wood from the swamps to use for drying fish.
In the tiny village of Ubeji, which is an ethnic Itsekeri community near an NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Company) refinery,
Just in from the sea, a catch of fish is sorted and prepared for drying on handmade wooden racks.
Just in from the sea, a catch of fish is sorted and prepared for drying on handmade wooden racks.
Bathing in open, tin-rimmed enclosures like this one is the only way to wash in this poor community.
Pictured here are outhouses on stilts, where the same waters are used for defecating, bathing, fishing and garbage.
Local youths unload diesel fuel from a local wooden barge for use by the community.
A pregnant woman sells gas for motor bikes and cars on one of Okrika's main roads.
Roadside gas sellers in Ogoniland alleviate the constant closures of local gas stations due to shortages and strikes.
Roadside gas sellers in Ogoniland alleviate the constant closures of local gas stations due to shortages and strikes.
Scenes onboard a big market boat as it makes the two hour journey from Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, to the little village of Ikibiri.
Scenes onboard a big market boat as it makes the two hour journey from Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, to the little village of Ikibiri.
Workers push heavy barrels of gas up from the waterfront into the main market of Yenagoa, capital of the oil-rich state of Bayelsa.
Workers push heavy barrels of gas up from the waterfront into the main market of Yenagoa, capital of the oil-rich state of Bayelsa.
In the resettled community of Finima, residents celebrate Funfu Ma Tie.
In Uvwie, a local district of Warri, a funeral procession for Roseline Okotie, 63, is as festive as it is sad.
Unemployed youth play table tennis in Njemanze, a slum community along the waterfront in Port Harcourt.
Kids play in the fishing village of Finima on Bonny Island.
Kids play in the fishing village of Finima on Bonny Island.
Children play in the polluted waters off Bonny Island where the Nigerian Liquefield Natural Gas plant is located.
With the Mobil Exxon Gas plant looming in the background, daily life for the displaced people of Finima moves at a slow pace.
With the Mobil Exxon Gas plant looming in the background, daily life for the displaced people of Finima moves at a slow pace.
Overview of the main market in the old town of Port Harcourt.
Oil pipelines create a walkway for this young woman through the village of Okrika Town.
Oil pipelines create a walkway for this young woman through the village of Okrika Town.
These images depict different aspects of the daily life of Niger Delta locals.
These images depict different aspects of the daily life of Niger Delta locals.
