EVALUATION OF THE COST OF OIL SPILLAGE ON THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Oil spillage is a global issue that has been occurring since the invention of fossil fuel that was a part of the commercial revolution. The
whole spillage of fossil fuel into the oceans, seas and rivers through human activities is calculable to vary zero.7-1.7 million tons each year
(www.science.irank.org). Oil spills have posed a serious threat to the setting of the oil manufacturing areas, that if not effectively
checked will result in the whole destruction of ecosystems. The Niger Delta is among the 10 most significant ground and marine
ecosystems within the world. The industry placed at intervals this region has contributed vastly to the expansion and development of the
country that could be a undeniable fact that cannot be controversial however unsustainable oil exploration activities has rendered the
Niger Delta region one in every of the 5 most severely fossil fuel broken ecosystems within the world. Studies have shown that the
amount of oil spilled over fifty years was a least 9-13 million barrels that is comparable to fifty Exxon port spills (FME, et. al. 2006). In 1956,
Shell British fossil fuel (now Royal Dutch Shell) discovered fossil fuel at a village Oloibiri in Bayelsa state placed at intervals the Niger Delta
of Federal Republic of Nigeria (Anifowose, 2008; Onuoha, 2008) and industrial production began in 1958. As of 2006, there square
measure eleven (11) oil firms operational 100 and fifty- 9 (159) oil fields and one thousand four hundred and 81 (1,481) wells within
the Niger Delta in Federal Republic of Nigeria (The Guardian, 2006). Human activities and people of oil exploration and exploitation
raise variety of problems similar to depletion of multifariousness, coastal and bank erosion, flooding, oil spillage, gas flaring, sound
pollution, waste product and waste pollution, land degradation and soil fertility loss and deforestation, that square measure all major
environmental problems. Oil exploration and exploitation has been in progress for many decades within the Niger Delta. It’s had fatal
impacts on the setting within the region and has adversely affected individuals inhabiting that region. Odeyumi and Ogunseitan (2011)
wrote a paper on the expansion and development of the oil and organic compound business in Federal Republic of Nigeria with stress to the
notable cases of pollution disturbances throughout the twenty five years of its existence, light causes and effects on the social, economic,
agricultural and ecological characteristic on human and different organic phenomenon occupants of the oil region.
Recommendations got as guide, for the activities of the Nigerian National fossil fuel Corporation (NNPC) within the interference, control,
treatment of oil and organic compound pollution. Celestine (2011) mentioned the results of intensive oil resource extraction on
the setting of the oil bearing Niger Delta communities and environmental issues similar to resource degradation, pollution and economic
condition within the Niger Delta communities. Tolulope (2010) wrote on the oil spillage incidences in Federal Republic of Nigeria with its
negative implication to the setting, accenting on the extent of hazards and also the tendency of fossil fuel merchandise to foul the setting.
Twumasi and Merem (2006) explored the applying of GIS and remote sensing within the tropical coastal zone setting with stress on the
environmental impact of development within the Niger Delta region. The results showed decline in water bodies, angiospermous
tree forest and several other cases of oil spills. Chukuezi (2006) wrote a paper on the implications of oil exploration and environmental
degradation to property development within the Niger Delta. Explaining this has culminated into economic condition, restiveness and
human insecurity within the region. In general, the assessment of different researchers into this issue acknowledges that
the industry has beyond any doubt brought economic profit to the Nigerian state however has le environmental pollution issues with
visible physical destruction. The interference of environmental degradation could be a task that has got to be pursued smartly. Amu
(2009) aforementioned that the identification of issues, style and applying applicable sanctions could be a major issue that must be
resolved and has got to begin with amendment within the gi judicatory and angle towards the proceeding of
environmental problems yet as a reform in environmental policies.
1.2. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Oil spillage is a common occurrence in the Niger Delta and is caused by poor infrastructure maintenance, human error, and intentional
vandalism or the of oil resulting in spills or leaks during processing and transportation (Amnesty International, 2009). Over the years from
1976 to 1996, spill incidents in total of 4,835 were recorded with 1.897 million barrels of oil lost as pollution to the environment
(Orimoogunje &Ajibola-James, 2013). UNDP (2006) estimates that between 1976 and 2001, an approximate of 6,800 spills totaling 3 million
barrels of oil were recorded in the Niger Delta region. Oil spill cases appear to be increasing over the years. This can be attributed to
increased oil production and the lack of enforced regulatory control regarding environmental relations. The estimated barrels of crude oil
spilled annually in the Niger Delta over surface and ground waters as well as vegetation and air is 240,000 (Ordinioha & Brisibe, 2013). The
health effects of these pollution activities include contamination and poisoning of water, food and the environment resulting in ill health
and death (World Health Organization [WHO], 2011). Oteh and Okpo (2012) gave account of oil spills in the Niger Delta in the past fifty years
at an average 1.5 million tons, fifty times more than the volume of oil recorded in 1989 in Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska, with corrosion
accounting for 50% of the spills, 28% due to sabotage, and 22% to oil production drills and operations. The severity of these frequent and
collectively massive spills is only amplified by other environmental problems in the region like seasonal floods and a limited land space
which does not allow for human resettlement thus constraining development (UNDP, 2006). This is also more critical in the case of a serious
spill as people are not able to relocate to another nearby place for development due to the shortage of land. While economic gains exist in
the exploration of oil in the Niger Delta, the losses due to hazards appear to exceed the benefits for the residents of the region and oil
workers who are both at risk due to exposure and are directly affected from the negative impact of oil spills in the region, which are evident
in the damages done to the region’s ecosystem.
1.3 AIMS OF THE STUDY
The major purpose of this study is to evaluate the cost of oil spillage on the people of Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Other general objectives
of the study are:
- To examine the causes of oil spill occurrence in Niger delta region of Nigeria.
- To examine factors affecting the management system to reduce oil spill in the region.
- To examine the cost of oil spillage on the people of Niger Delta Region.
- To examine the impacts of oil spillage in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.
- To examine the relationship between cost of oil spillage and the life expectancy of the Niger Delta region.
- To examine the management system adopted for the control of oil spill in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- What are the causes of oil spill occurrence in Niger delta region of Nigeria?
- What are the factors affecting the management system to reduce oil spill in the region?
- What is the cost of oil spillage on the people of Niger Delta Region?
- What are the impacts of oil spillage in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria?
- What is the relationship between cost of oil spillage and the life expectancy of the Niger Delta region?
- What are the management systems adopted for the control of oil spill in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria?
1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
H01: Cost of oil spillage has no significant effect on the people of Niger Delta Region.
H02: There is no significant relationship between cost of oil spillage and the life expectancy of the Niger Delta region.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The research has a significant role to play in discovering approaches to prevent, respond and manage issues like such presented by
oil spillage in oil production activities in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. This study will critically investigate and analyse the
causes and provide recommendations for the improvement of oil spills management in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, in order to
reduce and where possible prevent the occurrence of oil spillages in the region. The study will also be significant to the government
in the management of oil spillage because too much oil spill aects the economy.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study is based on evaluation of the cost of oil spillage on the people of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.
1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY
Financial constraint– Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or
information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on
the time devoted for the research work.
EVALUATION OF THE COST OF OIL SPILLAGE ON THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA
