THE EFFECT OF HYDROCARBON EXPLORATION ON THE ECOSYSTEM: THE NIGERIA NIGER-DELTA CASE STUDY

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is located in the southern part of Nigeria. It has a landmass of about 75,000 km3 cutting across 800 oil-producing communities and it is worst hit by oil spillage and gas flaring. Its ecosystem is divided into four ecological zones namely: coastal barrier island, mangrove swamp forest, freshwater swamp and lowland forest. The Nigeria Niger-Delta is amongst the ten most important wetlands in the world but sadly, hydrocarbon exploration and production has made it the five most devastated (damaged) ecosystems in the world.

Oil pollution is caused by ageing facilities, activities of militant groups and oil vandals (saboteurs), tanker accidents and operational mishap. Nigeria flares 75% of the gas it produces from over 123 gas flaring sites, making it the highest emitter of greenhouse gas (GHG) in Africa and a major contributor to the global warming crises.

A devastated ecosystem/destruction of vegetation, an affected agricultural land, food insecurity, destruction of settlements, health-related issues, acid rain, climate change, e.t.c. are some of the effects of hydrocarbon exploration and production.

The effects of the activities of the multinational oil industries (and the environmental impact) on the area were examined by using the acquired data to analyse the situation, draw a logical deduction, conclusion, and making a sequential presentation of facts on the existing problems.

Solutions to the destruction that has taken place in the area which is a contribution to the restoration of the Niger-Delta ecosystem were proffered.