Impacts of Oil Production on Nigeria‘s Waters: Assessing the Legal Labyrinth.

Authors: Solomon A. Ienlanye & Dennis Agelebe

Abstract:

Freshwater pollution contaminates substances that render the water body in certain areas of Nigeria unsuitable for specific usage. Two fundamental causative agents of water pollution are oil exploration and exploitation operations. Consequently, environmental pollution from oil production in Nigeria has detrimental impacts on freshwater bodies, particularly for communities located in oil-bearing regions. The resultant pollution has significantly affected the lives and livelihoods both economically and socially of these communities. In response to these environmental hazards,  the Federal Government of Nigeria has established legislation to protect the environment against oil pollution. The National Water Resources Bill has generated controversy in that it seeks to determine the clamour for the devolution of power among the tiers of government to actualise true federalism in Nigeria. This paper articulates the inadequacies in the regulatory framework for the administration of freshwater as established in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). Further, the paper examines the effectiveness of the relevant environmental protection enactments in implementation, enforcement and monitoring by the responsible governmental agencies. The impacts of oil production on the biodiversity in Nigeria are also evaluated to provide recommendations for strengthening the regulatory structure for the management of freshwater to ensure minimal oil pollution.

Journal: The Journal of Health, Environment, & Education

Volume: 14

Pages: 11-23