Екологія

THE EFFECT OF NIGER DELTA AQUATIC POLLUTION

Oladipo M. (Nigeria), The Head: Bobylev V., Savvin O.

National Metallurgical Academy of Ukraine

In the last two decades, issues relating to the environment have remain a front-burner in public discussion of the world agenda today because of the complexity and multi-dimensional nature, devastating weather hazards and the calamities associated with climate change. The environment has occupied the center stage in policy agenda of states and international organizations. Environmental issues are no longer viewed as narrow ecological problems of how to ensure a symbiotic and congruent inter-face between man and his environment. Its political, developmental, sociological and scientific ramification are given due consideration in order to have sustainable development.

In Nigeria, the South South that is, Niger Delta is the largest delta consisting of the third largest mangrove forest in the world and covering 70,000KM³ of Nigeria land mass. Oil wells, exploration and production activities are concentrated in the Niger Delta region which consists of aquatic ecosystem ranging from rivers that form the delta of the River Niger, estuaries and the Atlantic Ocean that washes the shoreline. Next to the coastline is an extensive area covered by mangrove swamps, which merge into the tropical rain forests. The Niger Delta is blessed with abundance of physical and human resources, including the majority of Nigeria’s oil and gas deposits, good agricultural land, extensive forests, excellent fisheries as well as a develop industrial base, a large labour force and a vibrant private sector. Despite its vast oil reserves, the Delta region remains poor with GNP per Capital below the national average of 280US Dollars. Also, Niger Delta is familiar with the problem posed by gas flaring, this is because the flame of gas that is flared illuminates the environment and often comes back in the form of acid rain which has adverse effect on zinc roofs and eats up the flora and fauna. The hazards of gas flaring are numerous and are parts of the reasons why people living there are unhappy. Apart from gas flaring that threatens the life of the indigenous population and a major economic waste by successive government, the numerous incidences of oil spills remains a major concern for the local population. It has rendered rivers waters unfit for human consumption and un-inhabitable to any life form and has reduced or completely eroded their cultural and socio-economic relevance. The environmental devastation associated with the industry and the lack of distribution of oil wealth have been the source and or key aggravating factors of numerous environmental movements and inter ethnic conflicts in the region, including recent guerilla activity by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MENDA).

The problems caused by oil pollution in the Niger Delta can be group into 2: which are environmental and socio-economic problems.