Pipeline vandalism sound death tolls for the environment
The oil and gas sector is the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy, contributing about 90 percent of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings. Even though the sector is most strategic to Nigeria’s economy, it is significant that the Nigerian state has been unable to evolve a coherent and constructive policy framework for the management of oil resources and their negative externalities, the distribution of the accruing revenues or for engaging with the increasingly restive oil- bearing communities of the Niger Delta.
Most oil-related legislation and policies in Nigeria tend to promote the rent-seeking interest of the state and the corporate or profit maximization interest of the international oil companies at the expense of the concerns of the local people for ecological preservation, human security and sustainable development.
Over the years, the amount of oil produced and transported between points of production, processing and distribution or export terminals has greatly increased as the demand of and dependence on oil increased. Although this increase in oil production level contributes to the national economic growth, it has also presented increased potential for environmental pollution and degradation through oil spillage.
A lot of the oil spills in Nigeria emanate from vandalism. Pipeline vandalization is the wilful destruction of pipelines for selfish gain. Oil spill through pipeline vandalism is not just a threat to oil production but also a threat to sustainable livelihood as well as the environment.
Behind the vandalism is an intense conflict with the oil bearing communities of the Niger Delta over issues of environmental degradation and charges of marginalization in employment provision, poor implementation of memorandum of understanding (M.O.U) between oil companies and host communities, patronage and ancillary contracts. The conflict assumed a radical dimension since the 1990’s, with local militias frequently using violent protests to subvert and obstruct the oil activities.
When vandalization occurs, it has several environmental impacts. Large areas of arable land get destroyed by the fire-outbreaks and oil spillage that result from oil pipeline vandalization. Marine and aquatic life gets destroyed, all of which are important in the diet of the people. When spilled product gets washed into the swamps, streams and rivers, marine life gets contaminated and when such marine life is consumed, it creates health problems. This is besides the huge financial costs to oil companies and the nation. Sea birds are not exempted from this onslaught. The sea and river reduce the coastal amenities and threaten the survival off sea animals.
More than anything else, the impact on health is frightening. Oil spill contaminate marine organisms by poly-nuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PNAS). Oil spills have been known to have settled in the beaches and also on the floor of the ocean sand which kills botanic organisms. Those of the organisms that survive may accumulate toxics in their tissues making them unfit for human consumption. Thus because many organisms such as oysters, crabs, lobsters, mussels and sea animals are often part of the people’s diet, their contamination could be a threat to human health. The poisoning of algae may disrupt major food chains and eventually decrease the yield of edible fish.
While this paper sees reason with some of the issues that has led to agitation by Niger Delta indigenes, we call for caution in the manner in which the grievances are expressed. Whatever happens, the north, west and eastern part of the country to some extent are insulated from the environmental degradation these spills impose on the environment.
We also call on the government to engage the militants constructively and find ways to stabilise the situation.