The discovery of a huge oil field has caused many changes and disagreements. Write the story
I live in what used to be a small fishing village on a beautiful stretch of the coast. One day, about five years ago, there was a radio announcement that oil had been discovered off-shore about three miles from our quay-side. There would be a rig, the oil would be piped inland. The field was extensive and the oil supply would last at least ten years.
At once the village people were divided, and the local council became the scene of some terrible rows, which got into the press. About half the people were against the idea. Their main argument was that the beauty and peace of the whole neighborhood would be destroyed. Then there would be a great influx of contractors and workmen of all kinds. That would mean new roads, new houses, shops, a bigger school, a new medical center, and countless other amenities. Think of the dangers to our wives, our children, our daughters, our livelihood. Imagine the noise of the helicopters. Our fishing boats would be driven away, and no doubt the sea would be polluted. To sum up – NUMBY – NOT IN MY BACK YARD!
About as many people disagreed. The village would benefit from all the new amenities, they argued. There would be new jobs for the men, which would pay much better than fishing – perhaps jobs for the women, too. Our standard of living would go up, and we could buy all the consumer goods so few people could afford. And the newcomers might turn out to be nice people, anyway.
So the arguments went on. A petition was raised. tempers often flared. The government found in favor of the plan, of course, as being in the national interest, and within a short time, work began. that was five years ago. When the workmen began, life was chaotic, nightmarish, though every one of the dozens of contractors who descended on the village, promised to carry out his work with as little disruption to our lives as possible. In general, they kept their word. Actually, all the development took place just outside the village. Our traditional ways, our fishing, remained undisturbed, except that the harbor was dredged and extended to accommodate large vessels.
In the first two years, the major works were completed. Huge machines carried out the ground clearance. Oil storage tanks, a rail extension, new roads, an airstrip and heliport, dozens of portacabins for temporary accommodation, were put in place. Finally, the offshore rig was towed into position. Very soon, the oil was on-stream, and the night sky over the rig ablaze with the huge gas flare.
Since then, more oil has been located in the field, so the life of the new town has been extended for an indefinite period. Our little village has become the suburb of a new town. The old peace has gone, and people still grumble, mostly the elderly. Fishing is now a dwindling occupation since many have taken training courses and are in many better-paid jobs with the oil company. There are problems, but we get on well enough with the newcomers and, of course, make full use of their amenities. In every practical way, the new oil field has proved a godsend.
