Oil exploitation and its socioeconomic effects on the Niger Delta region of Nigeria

Abstract

The oil exploration and exploitation industry which is majorly centred in the Niger Delta region is without doubt currently the most important earner of foreign exchange to the Nigerian economy. The Niger Delta is home to an extraordinary variety of people; mostly fishers and farmers with a history of rich cultural heritage. However, the region is suffering from devastating oil pollution. Although the effects of oil spill depend on factors such as size or area of spill and geographical location, the socioeconomic and environmental costs of oil production can be extensive; these range from destruction of wildlife, biodiversity loss, air and water pollution, degradation of farmland and damage to aquatic ecosystems. The paper reviews the adverse effects of oil exploitation on the Niger Delta region. It researches the common belief that government and oil multinationals are negatively disposed to the socioeconomic and environmental wellbeing of host communities especially in events of oil spillage. The paper reveals that oil exploitation has increased the rate of environmental degradation and has perpetuated food insecurity as a result of death of fish and crops as well as loss of farm lands and viable rivers for fishing activities leading to loss of livelihood. The paper supports the call for multinationals operating in the region to modernise operating infrastructure and equipment in order to prevent avoidable oil spillages that often lead to community restiveness, and more so, intensification of joint efforts between oil multinationals and government in the capital development of the region is very important.

Bioremediation of Petroleum Sludge Impacted Soils Using Agro-Waste from Moringa Seed

“…Delta State which is being nicknamed "The Big Heart of the Nation" lies approximately between Longitude 5°00 and 6°45' East and Latitude 5°00 and 6°30' North of the equator. It is located in the southern Nigeria with an area of 17,698 km 2 (6,833 sq mi) and a population of 4,112,445 as at 2006 [1,10]. It is made up of 25 LGAs and comprising mainly five major ethnic groups: Urhobo, Isoko, Anioma and Ukwani, Ijaw and Itsekiri.…”

“…Since commercial exploration of crude oil started in Nigeria in 1958, the generation of petroleum sludge became inevitable [8]. Improper disposal of this petroleum sludge causes soil contamination resulting in the loss of soil fertility and also, initiates subsequent contamination to the groundwater [9][10][11]. Impact of petroleum hydrocarbon sludge and its derivatives is the most prevalent problem in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria where crude oil is being extracted and the occupations of the people are mostly subsistence farming and fishing [12].…”

“I had Missionary Grandparents for Christ’s Sakes!”: White Women in Transracial/Cultural Families Bearing Witness to Whiteness

“…Maya has never been to Nigeria nor met her partner's family members, yet her disassociation or dis-identification with Whiteness is substantively attributed to British colonial rule there, and the ongoing influence of neocolonial economic and political dynamics. This is made clear by Maya's reference to her partner's boycott of the multinational petroleum company, Shell, and its negative impacts on human rights and environment degradation in Nigeria (Augenstein, 2016;Elum, Mopipi & Henri-Ukoha, 2016;Yusuf, 2018;Yusuf & Omoteso, 2016). Clearly for Maya's partner, Shell is associated with "White people" and violent oppressive practices, and Maya does not want to be affiliated with that form of Whiteness.…”

Oil production and host community relations in Nigeria: The limits of the Utilitarian approach

“…85 On the contrary, the right of the Niger Delta peoples to life has been violated severally through unsustainable oil production, environmental pollution, 86 unjust military actions, 87 and poor healthcare system. 88 Additionally, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 89 provides that State parties "shall recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing". 90 Nigeria as a State party to the ICCPR and ICESCR is obliged to protect the rights of the Niger Delta communities to life and an adequate standard of living, but the actions of the Nigerian government has worked against the realization of these rights.…”