CEO Tony Hayward Resigning from BP

(USA Today) It is now official: BP CEO Tony Hayward has resigned.  Hayward was the face of BP's flailing efforts to contain the Gulf oil spill following the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon Rig on April 20, 2010.  He will resign in October.  He will be offered a job with the company's joint venture in Russia, TNK-BP, a person familiar with the matter told the Associated Press.  BP executive Robert Dudley, an American who has been overseeing the spill recovery efforts, is most likely to be Hayward's successor.  Hayward had left the board meeting without speaking to the reporters.  BP owns half of TNK, which is Russia's third-largest oil company.  TNK was once run by Dudley. 

Hayward has been the CEO of BP since May 2007.  Hayward had received much scrutiny since the massive oil spill took place following the Deepwater Horizon explosion on April 20.  Hayward testified before Congress back in June and he made statements such as he wants his old life back and describing the spill as "relatively tiny".  He also went on a vacation sailing in his yacht following his testimony before Congress.  Hayward appeared to be unconcerned about the plight of the Americans who lived along the Gulf Coast.  The massive oil spill has caused considerable damage to marine life, the ecosystem, and the fishing economy along the Gulf Coast.  There were many fisherman who made their livelihood fishing for shrimp and other seafood along the Gulf Coast.  The fishing economy along the Gulf Coast could be disrupted for a long time.  What really disturbed me about this whole matter was the lack of seriousness I perceived to cap off the damaged well and clean up the mess.  Thankfully, the damaged oil well had a cap placed on it and as of right now, everything appears to be okay until the relief wells are completed.  Several million gallons of oil have been gushed into the ocean and it's a huge mess.  When the Deepwater Horizon exploded, crews from BP, along with certain agencies of the Federal government, should've been at the site immediately utilizing methods to contain and clean up the massive oil spill.  I felt that the Federal government wanted to allow this oil spill to continue for a certain length of time so as to give excuse for President Obama and Congress to pass a cap and trade bill.  The government thrives on a crisis.  White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel made the statement last year that we can't allow a good crisis go to waste.  This whole situation is corrupt.  This will also give the government an excuse to nationalize the oil companies and control what takes place in terms of business.

I believe it's time for Tony Hayward to resign.  He's part of the problem.  Not only should Hayward resign, but the Chairman of BP should resign as well.  The company needs leadership that will be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to dealing with emergencies.  Safety needs to be emphasized when drilling for oil.  The events that took place prior to the explosion are inexcusable.  Drilling for oil is a dangerous occupation and all safeguards need to be in place to prevent a massive leak such as this one.  A huge oil spill can be disastrous if not stopped and contained quickly.  You don't allow spills such as this to get out of control.  The ramifications of this spill could be felt for years to come.