Environmental Networking Platform for Children and Youth by SAMSUNG E&A
Stay connected with Eco-generation :
| Share 
| 
- Home >
- Our Actions >
- Ambassador report
5
Comments
OIL POLLUTION DISASTER IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA |
|---|
|
I hardly assume but for the purpose of this article, I would assume that many of you have not really been to Nigeria , the most populous black nation and the biggest economy in Africa, according to a very recent report, the same way I have not been to many of your countries too. In Nigeria, the Niger-Delta is a very densely populated region sometimes called the Oil Rivers because it was once a major source of palm oil. Geographically, the Niger Delta as now defined officially by the Nigerian government , extends over about 70,000 km2 and makes up to 7.5% of Nigeria's land mass. Through census count, some 31 million people of more than 40 ethnic groups are among the inhabitants in the Niger Delta, speaking about 250 different dialects. With that brief description, the Niger-Delta is a very rich oil region and the oil found in it accounts for the largest percentage of Nigeria's source of income. Unfortunately however, for over a decade now, the region has been a major subject of great international controversy over the devastating impacts of pollution in the region and very notable is the pollution of water bodies by oil due to oil and gas exploration activities. Aquatic biodiversity is under serious threat from the influences generated by a number of oil related installations which also involve flow stations , loading terminals and farm tanks. It has been discovered that for more than forty years now, oil pollution has negatively impacted the socio-physical environment of the Niger Delta oil bearing communities which is massively affecting the health, entire livelihood and basic survival of the inhabitants of the region. Oil spills, discharge of wastes and effluent from oil and gas explorations directly into water bodies and land surface as well as gas leaks continue to destroy aquatic life and reduce the quantity and quality of available fresh water. As a concerned citizen of Nigeria who does not live in this disturbed region of the country though, I feel deep hurt every time I read or hear about the disasters caused by this grim and utterly pathetic pollution of water by oil and I hope however, that the government and the multinational oil companies that are actually involved in the exploration in the Niger –Delta region would reckon with their conscience and seek for viable means as soon as possible, to remedy the effects of the disaster caused in the region by oil pollution and provide sustainable ways of preventing further leakages and intrusion of oil and gas into water bodies. REFERENCE : Niger Delta – Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia, http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niger_Delta IMAGES CREDITS: En.wikipedia.org, theguardian.com, pubs.sciepub.com, vanguardngr.com     |
|
|
|
|
Previous : MY SAMSUNG ECO-GENERATION SCHO...
5 Comments
Thanks for highlighting the serious concern of growing threat on biodiversity , oil resources , human lives and overall peace in Nigel Delta. One of my uncle lives there and keeps telling us how disturbed is that place.We just hope that global peace making organisations , local Nigeria govt and all citizens together come up with solid measures to ease these tensions and avoid such disasters like oil spill...
Posted 22-04-2014 03:06
Too sad for Nigeria we prayed that that crisis will be resolved sooner
Posted 18-04-2014 20:18
Yes Christy I agreed with u when it comes to natural resources we have the best.
But the management of the natural resources that is our problem.
Posted 18-04-2014 20:17
great job man,we need sustainble development in africa,i mean a green future...
Posted 18-04-2014 19:40
Africa continent is the most blessed continent with natural resources. But I feel so sad when the extract of natural resources vastly damages its nature. The impact is almost irreversible and now it's time to talk about sustainable resource development for the future generation of Africa.
Posted 18-04-2014 09:21