Nigeria and Oil Extraction - Essay Example

? Nigeria and Oil Extraction In recent decades, environmental degradation has gotten quite out of hand, especially in Third World Countries, such as Nigeria. The main problem stems from the fact that there is no proper government control and no implementation of proper environmental problems. Oil industry forms a major part of the export sector of Nigeria. However, the oil drilling and oil exploration has lead to massive environmental problems, such as water pollution, land degradation and breakdown of ecosystem. These issues have created further social problems in the lives of Nigerians. It seems that Nigerians are paying a huge price for economic development. Oil forms a pertinent part of the exports of the African country, Nigeria. In fact, much of the development, which started in the 1950s in this country, has been attributed to the revenue obtained from the oil industry. Moreover, future advancement in Nigeria depends largely on this industry. Nigeria comes second to the leading African nations, exporting oil. Since the discovery of oil in 1959, the country has largely become independent on this commodity for its foreign exchange reserves. Nigeria has improved economically and socially, since this has led to better infrastructure facilities, and a better trade balance. Nigeria is bound to progress in every occupation, because it remains one of the nations having huge amount of oil reserves, which remains the most prized commodity. Therefore, oil exploration and drilling should have profound impacts on the lives of Nigerians, which advances their lifestyle. This could mean in terms of better living conditions, education, better agriculture, better environment and availability of food (Emiri, Deinduomo, pp.349, year). However, this has not been the case, when it comes to Nigeria. Nigeria remains one of the Third World Countries, which is crippled by the same problems such countries face. One of the common problems faced by Third World Countries includes the rapid environment degradation. Environmental degradation has been advanced by the oil industry, because of the drilling impacts. The paper largely focuses on the different environmental impacts that the oil industry has created. It has become an issue of immense concern, especially in the recent decades. Environmental degradation has gotten quite out of hand. This can be proved by the fact that the Millennium Development Goals, which had to be completed by various countries by the year 2012, includes the issue of environmental management. Environmental management includes areas such as the protection and the sustainable use of the elements of the environment. It also includes the reversal of those environmental problems, which humans have created (Child Development, n.p). However, Nigeria has remained far behind in this goal. Environmental degradation has multiplied; because of the increased oil, drilling that has been occurring since the past few decades. Nevertheless, that does not signify or assume that there remains no environmental awareness in Nigeria. The negative environmental effects of oil operations have largely been studied and documented by van Dessel, who used to be the environmental studies head of Shell in Nigeria. He found out that many of the environmental problems stem from oil spills, gas flares, oil and other waste, drilling and even during surveys. Seismic surveys create many problems, such as the cutting of lines that adversely affect the mangroves forestation. The whole ecosystem gets disturbed in this way. Therefore, one such simple example shows the numerous environmental effects of oil drilling (Frynas, pp. 158). The environmental impact has been significant particularly in one area, which includes the Niger Delta region. This region forms part of history in the way that the first oil exploration was conducted in this area in 1956. At the time of discovery, some 5000 barrels of oil were produced every day. However, now the production has extended to such a large degree, that oil revenue contributes to around 95% of the Nigeria’s GDP. However, while GDP may have increased, there have been some profound environmental damage, including drilling wastes, drilling cuts, oil sludges and potentially dangerous waste left out open. Especially multi-national companies perhaps attribute much of this damage to the factor of ‘overexploitation’. In this case, Nigerians themselves have not reaped the fruit of the multi dollar commodity, but has suffered immensely in terms of environment (Adeh, pp. 5-6). During the process of extraction of crude oil, natural gas burns. This produces emissions, which include particulate matter, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Around 16.8 billion cubic meters of natural gas burns every year, leading to severe environmental problems (Dwivedi, Vajpeyi, pp. 129). The emissions of such harmful gaseous substances contribute to air pollution, which significantly leads to poor health conditions among humans. Therefore, Nigerians have faced poor living standards, in the case of environment. Not only this, but the farmlands have faced destruction, as well. Oil exploration has been claimed to put ‘people in extreme misery’ (Dwivedi, Vajpeyi, pp. 130). In particular, the Niger Delta region has faced extreme problems, where environmental problems and poverty has become interlinked. Some of the environmental problems include air pollution, caused by the gas flaring, the depletion of forest areas, especially mangrove forestation, to clean out areas for exploration. In addition, another problem exists in the form of un-recycled waste, which has been let loose into fresh water, land, swamps and the sea. Much of this untreated waste has created harsh impacts on the mangrove population. Mangroves are breeding ground for fish; therefore, the fishery industry has been destroyed, as well. Many people, dependent on fishing have lost their livelihood. Hence, the price that the Nigerians are paying in terms of environmental impact because of oil drilling seems quite high (United Nations, pp. 147). Moreover, during the process of oil drilling, many oil spills occur. There have been 347 oil spills during the time span of only four years, from 1971 to 1975. The entire process of oil exploration produces immense ecological problems, which greatly disturbs the environment (Dwivedi, Vajpeyi, pp. 130). Many environmental problems are created due to the process of seismic surveys. When seismic lines are laid out, sometimes, it may create long-term damage. If seismic lines cut into mangroves roots, then the mangrove population is cut off for some time. Moreover, during the process of explosions, the soil loses its natural fertility. Crater formation occurs if the holes for explosives are not been properly. However, one imperative things needs discussion, as well. Long-term impact on the ecosystem has not formed part of many investigations, because Multinational companies have exploited their power to a great degree (Frynas, pp. 158). A huge proportion of the Niger Delta has suffered immense environmental degradation, which has turned this area into an “environmentally barren’ wasteland. However, a question arises at this point. It is quite well known that these “environmental” crimes are committed by the Multinationals. However, where has the government been? Many studies have found out, for example Watts that much of the blame rests on the government’s shoulder. This is because government has not taken any action against these companies, but instead has supported these companies. Moreover, they have not provided security for the local community either. It is for this reason that such heinous crimes have occurred. The extent of environmental damage can be ascertained by the fact that Nigeria’s gas flaring contributes to around 28% of global damage of atmosphere (Adeh, pp. 6). With further regard to the environmental problem of water pollution, which remains one of Nigeria’s challenges, the impact has been huge. Around one billion people do not have access to safe, drinking water and by the year 2025, two thirds of the population will find themselves deprived of water. Toxic waste from drilling sites flow into the rivers, lakes and streams, and severely affects the meager water supplies of the world. Many of the people who rely on these sources of water for drinking purposes are severely affected by the polluted water. They face various health problems. In this way, another indirect impact of oil drilling comes into focus. Because of huge environmental degradation, the social lives of the people are also affected hugely (Adeh, pp. 8). Moreover, poverty and environmental degradation are linked to each other in a simple relationship. People who are poor find themselves on the loose end of environmental problems. The situation gets worse because many local communities are paid off by a small compensation by many huge companies. An informal license to evade existing environmental laws gets into force, which creates further problems. Many oil-drilling companies have ignored the Environmental Impact Assessment, which makes it necessary for companies to determine sustainability of a certain project. Environmental impacts have been significant. These include extinction of some species of fish because of the destruction of the mangrove ecosystem, extinction of some species of animals and plants and a fear of sea level rise. A sea level rise would bring further destruction to the environment, because it will lead to soil degradation. A significant amount of Ondo State has witnessed an increased rise in sea level by which many schools and churches are covered. The Niger Delta, which had a beautiful scenery and abundant resources, had real potential for some real growth. However, the below mentioned letter in the form of complain shows how people describe the once ‘beautiful’ Niger Delta: “Our rivers, rivulets and creeks are all covered with crude oil. We no longer breathe the natural oxygen; rather we inhale lethal and ghastly gases. Our water can no longer be drunk unless one wants to test the effects of crude oil on the body. We no longer use vegetables, they are polluted” (Nnanna, pp. 3). However, this is not where the story ends. The impacts are so numerous that human lives have also been affected. People drinking polluted water have had various health problems, which have resulted in death in some cases. Moreover, oil drilling has created another problem for human beings. People have been displaced from their local communities and forced to live elsewhere. In some cases, some communities were completely washed away, and encountered problems such as death and loss of property. This shifting largely occurred because of coastal erosion, as around 65% of the sampled respondents claimed (Bayode, Adewunmi, Odunwole, pp. 117). The oil drilling industry is lucrative. Nevertheless, it has created such issues and problems for Nigerians that many people have faced high costs regarding the ‘booming’ industry. The economy of Nigeria has largely been affected, as well. The GDP might have increased, but there have been some vital issues, regarding the dependency on oil as exports. Marine industry, which had previously contributed to around 20% of GDP has faced immense losses and is on the path for complete destabilization (Bayode Et Al, pp. 117). Moreover, the problems of polluted vegetation signals that the basic foods needs of the Nigerians are not getting fulfilled. This signifies that Nigeria will have to import basic food items from abroad, putting a strain on its balance of payments. There are other social problems, as well. Reduction in soil fertility has increased the reliance on fertilizers and pesticides, which are again imported from abroad. The rural communities have largely disintegrated. The consequence of this includes rural to urban migration. Increased encroachment of the land occurred in urban areas. Flooding largely increases because of improper planning. This improper planning led to the collapse of the Bagauda Dam in 1998, which left around 200,000 people homeless. Hence, the environmental issues create a further impact on the social lives of people (Dwivedi, Vajpeyi, pp. 132-133). Many of these environmental problems stem from the basic fact that there is no regulation by the government, as mentioned above. Multinationals and transnational companies can easily bribe the local government and pay off the local communities. However, in some areas of Nigeria, for instance the Equatorial Guinea, some companies respect the international laws, regarding environment. Some TNCs exist, which are raising environmental standards, especially when investing in a certain project. However, this is mostly done because of self-interest, because environmental issues have gained importance in the eyes of the world and environment is being closely monitored (United Nations, pp. 147). In addition, despite the fact that environmental problems have gained so much importance, nearly no attention was paid to this issue until 1988. A number of reasons are attributed to this ignorance. Economic development had seemed like the main goal of Nigerian economy at the time of early oil exploration. Therefore, environmental impact was largely pushed backwards. Environmental degradation was regarded as the opportunity cost of economic development. Moreover, people impacted by oil spills were compensated with money. Hence, no proper way was taken. Perhaps, the reason was the presence of multi nationals on the Nigerian soil (Dwivedi, Vajpeyi, pp. 134). Oil extraction companies are mainly based on those areas, where communities are not strong enough to raise their voices against such environmental damage (Emiri, Gowon Deinduomo, pp. 350). However, with the United Nations stepping in by providing Millennium Development Goals, many countries have come into focus with their environmental conditions and problems. The result of this includes the fact that many multinationals are starting to respect environmental laws, present in their home country. Even the Nigerian governments have gained awareness to this massive issue, which can attain more importance, if steps are not taken to reverse the process. The damage has truly been done. Nigeria cannot escape from it. Perhaps, it can use the revenue from its massive oil resources for the implementation and regulation of environmental problems. Moreover, people whose lives have been damaged because of oil drilling; they are the front-liners for compensation. In the words of Johnson Koyonda: “The oil money must provide schools for children, healthcare centres, industries for alternative employment and pipe borne water, light, roads and bridges for the people on whose land it’s extracted” (Emiri, Deinduomo, pp. 350). Oil money ought to compensate the price that Nigerians have paid in terms of environmental problems and consequently, social problems. Works Cited Adeh, Ignatius. "Corruption and Environmental Law - Google Books." Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Aug. 2011. . Dwivedi, O. P., and Dhirendra K. Vajpeyi. "Environmental policies in the third ... - Google Books." Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Aug. 2011. . Emiri, Festus, and Gowon Deinduomo. "Law and Petroleum Industry in ... - Google Books." Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Aug. 2011. . Frynas, Jedrzej George. "Oil in Nigeria: conflict and ... - Google Books." Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Aug. 2011. . "Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Relating to the Environmental Management | Child Development." Child Development. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Aug. 2011. . Nnanna, Joachim. “The effects of oil exploration in Nigeria: A theological Critique” . pp 3, n.d. Web.2 Aug.2011. Read More