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The Political Economy of Hydrocarbon Pollution: Assessing Socio-Ecological Sustainability of Nigeria s Niger Delta Region

Author

Listed:
  • Agaptus Nwozor

    (Department of Political Science and International Relations, Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria,)

  • Jacob Audu

    (Department of Political Science and International Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria,)

  • Joseph Ibrahim Adama

    (Department of Economics, Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.)

Abstract

The Niger Delta region, which is the hydrocarbon basket of Nigeria, appears to be sitting on an environmental time bomb due to degradation from widespread hydrocarbon pollution. The major sources of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta are oil spillage, gas flaring and improper disposal of wastes from oil drilling operations. Presently, it is estimated that there are over 5,000 massively polluted sites in the Niger Delta. Drawing data from secondary sources, this paper finds that despite the enormity of environmental pollution and its deleterious effects on the socio-economic wellbeing of the Niger Delta region, there is no implementable blueprint or policy for remediation. The paper links the economic cost of environmental pollution to the pervasive poverty and other socio-ecological crises that envelope the region in a smoke of underdevelopment. The paper therefore advocates a clear national remediation policy to sustainably deal with the degraded environment of the region.

Suggested Citation

  • Agaptus Nwozor & Jacob Audu & Joseph Ibrahim Adama, 2019. "The Political Economy of Hydrocarbon Pollution: Assessing Socio-Ecological Sustainability of Nigeria s Niger Delta Region," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 9(1), pages 7-14.
    • Handle: RePEc:eco:journ2:2019-01-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Anomohanran, O., 2012. "Determination of greenhouse gas emission resulting from gas flaring activities in Nigeria," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 666-670.
    2. Anejionu, Obinna C.D. & Ahiarammunnah, Precious-Ann.N. & Nri-ezedi, Chinenyendo J., 2015. "Hydrocarbon pollution in the Niger Delta: Geographies of impacts and appraisal of lapses in extant legal framework," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 65-77.
    3. Christopher D. Elvidge & Daniel Ziskin & Kimberly E. Baugh & Benjamin T. Tuttle & Tilottama Ghosh & Dee W. Pack & Edward H. Erwin & Mikhail Zhizhin, 2009. "A Fifteen Year Record of Global Natural Gas Flaring Derived from Satellite Data," Energies, MDPI, vol. 2(3), pages 1-28, August.
    4. Mercy Denedo & Ian Thomson & Akira Yonekura, 2017. "International advocacy NGOs, counter accounting, accountability and engagement," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 30(6), pages 1309-1343, August.
    5. Philip Ejoor Agbonifo, 2016. "Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure and the Quest for Environmental Sustainability in the Niger Delta: The Prospect of Natural Gas Utilization in Nigeria," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 6(3), pages 442-448.
    6. Kathryn Nwajiaku-Dahou, 2012. "The political economy of oil and ‘rebellion’ in Nigeria's Niger Delta," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(132), pages 295-313, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Agaptus Nwozor & John Shola Olanrewaju & Solomon Adebayo Adedire & Ejalonibu Ebenezer Lawal, 2020. "Reform in a Limbo: The Politics and Politicization of Reforms in Nigeria s Petroleum Sector," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 10(4), pages 184-193.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Environmental degradation; hydrocarbon pollution; remediation policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies
    • Q35 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation - - - Hydrocarbon Resources
    • Q52 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Pollution Control Adoption and Costs; Distributional Effects; Employment Effects
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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