Correlates and Consequences of Oil Pollution in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the correlates and consequences of oil pollution in Niger Delta, Nigeria.  The objectives of the study were to determine the forms of oil pollution In Nigeria's Niger Delta, the causes of oil pollution and the consequences of oil pollution.  Survey design was adopted in the study. The study population consisted of all offshore oil and gas workers in selected petroleum companies operating in Nigeria's Niger Delta which totaled 920. A total of 368 workers were selected using the stratified proportionate sampling technique. A validated questionnaire reflecting the correlates and consequences of oil pollution was the instrument for data collection. The questionnaires were administered on the respondents over a period of seven (7) alternate days. Analysis of data for field survey was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. Microsoft Excel and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software were employed in the study. Results were presented in tables. Findings revealed that oil spillage, gas flaring, petroleum wastes, condensates and residuals are the major forms of oil pollution in Niger Delta; environmental oil pollution is caused by oil theft/sabotage, pipeline leakage/explosion, oil siphoning, and militancy and tanker accident. Oil pollution exerts negative consequences on human and animal life as well as overall existence and survival. The consequences of oil pollution include health risk, damage to the ecosystem, food security problems, poverty as well as destruction of plant and animals. The need for enactment of laws and implementation of policies towards preventing environmental breakdown from oil and gas operations was recommended