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Has the National policy on environmental pollution control in Nigeria been neglected in the Niger Delta region? An update

Author

Listed:
  • Eucharia Oluchi Nwaichi

    (University of Port Harcourt Choba
    University of Port Harcourt Choba)

  • Justice Obinna Osuoha

    (University of Port Harcourt Choba
    Imo State Polytechnic)

Abstract

For the last century, crude oil exploitation and exploration have occurred in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. While oil and gas account for a significant 85% of the national GDP, it has caused catastrophic effects on the environment. This is of particular concern, considering the Niger Delta is the breadbasket of Nigeria, inhabited by 31 million people. However, indiscriminate pollution has arisen from oil spills emanating from exploration activities and gas flaring. Since 2014 alone, more than 550 oil spills have been reported. To address this, the Nigerian federal government has developed environmental policies and laws targeted to regulate environmental management. However, the efficacy of these policies remains in question because of the government’s unwillingness to enforce the laws. The aim of this paper is to appraise of the effect of the national policies on environmental management with emphasis on the “Guidelines and Standards for Environmental Pollution Control, 1991”. We ask the following questions: What are community perceptions of the direct and indirect impacts of oil spills on ecosystems, health, livelihoods, migration and conflict? What are current and desired compensation provided by government bodies, NGOs and oil companies to support local livelihoods impacted by oil spills? What are key statutory and legal frameworks on environmental protection in Nigeria, how effectively are they performing and what are key challenges confronting compliance with regulatory guidelines and standards? To answer these questions, we recruited the activities of 11 focus groups comprising of chiefs, farmers, youth leaders, members of community and social activists groups from each Niger Delta state and engaged them on qualitative focus group discussions and interviews to identify the impacts of oil spills on settlement’s socio-economic and environmental conditions. Results were then analyzed with thematic templet analytic techniques. This study reveals a high impact on settlements with diverse factors that have contributed to the increase in social aspects. Existing policies to regulate and control environmental pollution, but the enforcement of standards has been poor. Consequently, biodiversity has been impacted, affects agricultural soil, human health and the source of farming and farming livelihoods of the indigenous people has had to be abandoned by many living in this region. We argue, Nigeria’s reliance on revenue generated from crude oil encourages the uninspiring and lackadaisical approach of the government to enforce these policies in the region. To this end, we recommend various environmental policies should be merged and harmonized under one by-law to ensure uniformity and there is an urgent need to implement the 2006 UNDP report which prioritized environmental sustainability, promotes human partnership development and upholds the goals for sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Eucharia Oluchi Nwaichi & Justice Obinna Osuoha, 2022. "Has the National policy on environmental pollution control in Nigeria been neglected in the Niger Delta region? An update," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(11), pages 12494-12517, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:24:y:2022:i:11:d:10.1007_s10668-021-01973-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-021-01973-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:mpr:mprres:6144 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Marcus O. Edino & Godwin N. Nsofor & Leonard S. Bombom, 2010. "Perceptions and attitudes towards gas flaring in the Niger Delta, Nigeria," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 30(1), pages 67-75, March.
    3. Imo J. Ekpoh & Ajah E. Obia, 2010. "The role of gas flaring in the rapid corrosion of zinc roofs in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 30(4), pages 347-352, December.
    4. Kingston, Kato Gogo, 2011. "The Dilemma of Minerals Dependent Economy: The case of Foreign Direct Investment and Pollution in Nigeria," MPRA Paper 28603, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Edmund Aviedo Atakpo & Elijah Adebowale Ayolabi, 2009. "Evaluation of aquifer vulnerability and the protective capacity in some oil producing communities of western Niger Delta," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 29(3), pages 310-317, September.
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