Environmental Effect of Oil Spillage and Cleanup on the Marine Environment in Selected Niger Delta Communities

Abstract

Oil spills have been recurrent and impacting damaging effects on the environment particularly within the oil-producing region. This research examines environmental effect of oil spillage and cleanup on the marine environment in selected Niger Delta communities. It seeks to assess how the federal government and the oil firms manage oil spill incidents and the degradation of environment brought about by the oil spillage. The results of the research have identified gaps and need for improvement to manage oil spills incidents to protect the environment. It has uncovered the need for the Nigerian environmental laws and policy to be updated. It is proposed that there is need for the government to set out strict obligation for degradation of the environment. The oil generating organisations in Nigeria should comply with international best practices in exploitation of oil and the Nigerian government should embrace different suitable technology for oil spill control as well as involving inhabitants of the Niger delta region in the management of oil spill.