Environmental Protection from Oil Spillage in the Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria: Ogoniland in Perspective

Abstract

Environmental protection from oil spillage challenges, encapsulates the mechanism put in place by governments for effective and enforceable legislation, to preserve the environment from wanton destruction arising from anthropogenic activities. Individuals, organizations and other stakeholders contribute immensely towards environmental protection, being a practice for all mankind to ensure the environment remains habitable even for future generations. The doctrinal method of research was adopted, utilizing published materials and literature extract from books, journals and data base to identify the challenges of oil spillage in the region and identify specific gaps in Nigeria's environmental legal framework. The objective of environmental protection includes conservation of the natural environment, mitigation of afflictive conditions as well as restoration and reparation of affected or already damaged areas. Three major factors influence environmental protection: legislation, ethics and education. It is important for societies to develop each of these areas, which together should inform and drive environmental decisions in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Having addressed oil spillage issues and attendant laws in the region, it is evident that environmental protection in the region can become a reality. It is recommended that the time to address this situation is now, so as to give the people of the Niger Delta better hope and a brighter future. In this connection, holistic reforms of relevant laws on the integral oil spillage subject matter should help in providing the necessary solutions.