An Assessment of Environmental Problems Associated with Oil Pollution and Gas Flaring in the Niger Delta Region Nigeria , C. 1960s - 2000

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of oil production by oil corporations on the Niger Delta region environment over time, with particular attention paid to the case of Ijaw oil-producing community. It focuses on the environmental impacts of oil production and associated pollution in the Ijaw area, and discusses the increasing internal contradictions involving the Ijaw youth and their elites in perpetuating environmental problems on their own land. It traces the controversy that surrounds the allegations from the local people whether oil was the only factor responsible for environmental pollution. By using scientific reports and statistical data, this paper further argues that the environmental problems facing the Niger Delta people were many, whilst oil and gas were mere contributory factors with attendant effect on water and land degradation. Using the Ijaw's case the paper have identified that lack of complaint with environmental laws and institutional structure for enforcing them in the Niger Delta oil-producing region have continued to undermine their desire for a clean environment, particularly toward a sustainable development of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large. It concludes that there is urgent need for the Federal government to establish new oil and gas regulation that should have a statutory body for proper implementation of those laws. This would ensure peace and stability, a safe, clean and habitable environment for the inhabitant of the Niger Delta to benefit from the profit accruing to the oil corporations and the Nigerian government.

Echoes from the coast: Assessment of residents’ perception of environmental hazards and risks in coastal communities of Nigeria

“…Issues related to hazards and risk management have aroused the interest of researchers in Nigeria (Etuonovebe, ; Inyang, ; Kadafa, Zakari, & Othman, ; Okpako & Berewari, ; Ologunorisa, ; Raji & Abejide, ). However, they have only assessed the impact of oil exploration on the environment and the health of the people in coastal communities.…”

Heavy Metals Contamination and their Potential Toxicity in Petroleum Sludge Impacted Soils from Itsekiri Communities, Delta State, Nigeria

“…Lead concentration ranged from 157.6±0.2 mg/kg in site A to 113.0±0.1 mg/kg in site E. These values were higher than that obtained for control sample and also higher than 15.1 mg/kg reported by Bierkens and Geerts [39] as well as 14.13 mg/kg reported by Raji and Abejide [40].…”

Has the adoption of CSR initiatives by MNCs improved the situation in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region?’

“…Though the most common or talked about form of pollution in the Niger Delta is through oil spills in the environment, another form is through gas flaring. Raji and Abejide (2013) stated that continuous flaring of gas has also affected the environment. They added that this region is the second largest flare site globally, burning about 150 million cubic meters yearly, equal to about 25% and 30% of gas consumed by the United States and European Union respectively.…”