Nigeria is a country rich in natural resources. This include both mineral,forest and other resources. Top among these resources is crude oil. Our crude oil has been adjudged one of the best in the world due to its little or no sulphur content. In Nigeria today, a major percentage of our income is from crude oil hence,it is the backbone of our economy. 

This oil occur in large quantity in the South-South states of Nigeria popularly known as the Niger Delta region and in small quantityin some other states in Nigeria. The oil deposits in these states have been consistently explored and exploited.

Now, my focus is on the Niger Delta region of Nigeria where all the states in that region have huge deposits of oil resources. The states include Akwa-Ibom,Rivers,Cross river,Delta and Bayelsa states. These areas are awash with crude oil. Their farmland and most of their homes have been taken over by oil. These areas are also surrounded by huge water bodies hence people living in these states are mainly fishermen. Almost all species of fishes you you can of think canbe found in waters across the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.These states have been ravaged by the activities of oil and gas companies who explore the oil resources in this region. Species in these areas are now,at best,endangered. Oil and gas companies in this region have contributed to near extinction of species that are unique to the Niger Delta. Hippos and crustaceans which were hitherto abundant in this region is now hard to find. In fact, the micro organisms are the most endangered species as gas flaring and burning of lands(as measures of cleaning oil spillage/cleaning up the land) in this region has dealt a heavy blow on the biodiversity of this region. Oil spillage damaging the aquatic life on one hand,and the land on the other, rendering the populace in this region almost jobless. Their land and water has become so toxic that no species can survive in such conditions.

However,in the light of the aforementioned, the Federal government of Nigeria in 2011 established the Niger Delta Biodiversity Conservation project. The project which according to UNDP has its objective as "Mainstreaming Biodiversity in

Production Landscape/Seascapes and sectors,

Strengthening the policy and regulatory

framework for mainstreaming Biodiversity. The

project will target Nigeria?s Oil and Gas sector,

which is the backbone of Nigeria?s economy,

and touch upon the sectors interface with

biodiversity" has four heavily affected Niger Delta states as its focus. The states include Akwa-Ibom,Delta,Rivers and Bayelsa.

Now,I was prompted to write on this owing to the International Day of Biodiversity that was celebrated last week as well as the fact that the end date for the Niger Delta Biodiversity Conservation project which is 2015 is around the corner. Oil and gas companies in Nigeria are more often than not a headache for the environment. They are more interested in extracting the oil and have little or no interest in trying to repair the obvious damages they have caused the environment viatheir exploration activities. The gas flaring by this companies is no doubt a major contributor to global warming and most of their approach to clean their host community of oil spillage is far from being environment friendly. Apart from killing and endangering some plants and animal species, the aftermath of the exploits of these oil and gas companies also endangers human life in this region because of the heavy carbon in these environment.

Tunza Eco-Generation requested that we find out the endangered local species in our environment as our monthly event to mark the International Day of Biodiversity which I did and have since submitted,but then outside the local species, it may interest you to know that we have lostour Cheetahs, Giraffes and black Rhinos and this is indeed painful for me hence the need to adopt all possible measures in trying to protect the species we have left.

Nonetheless, I am happy that some of the oil and gas companies in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria have uncharacteristically cashed in on the Niger Delta Biodiversity Conservation project of the Nigerian government so with this and more of such projects, we can be sure of a safe environment. And this is a call to all countries to keep an eye on oil and gas companies while making national plans so as to easily check mate their operations when they deviate from being professional which can adversely affect the environment.

Here in Nigeria, close monitoring of these companies is key and I will push for the extension of this project beyond 2015 and to other regions in Nigeria to ensure an appreciable result.

Photo Source: (1) THE NIGERIAN VOICE (2) UNDP NIGERIA