Improving sustainable development of oil and gas in the Niger Delta in Nigeria - Essay Example

On the same note, the ability of the future generation is said to be determined today, when the magnitude of that generation in the future is unknown. Niger Delta is rich in oil and gas deposits among other valuable minerals. Sustainable development in the context of oil and gas in the Niger Delta is more tailored towards environmental management. The environment needs to be monitored and influenced in certain way in a bid to enhance human and business habitation in the region. In other words, sustainable development of oil and gas in the Niger Delta encompasses a sustainable management of human interaction and environmental resources to benefit both the society and the business undertakings in this region in present and future times (World Bank, 2002; Amnesty International, 2009).

Environmental aspect of the oil and gas in the Niger Delta Oil and gas activities in the Niger Delta are significant drivers of the economy in the region and in Nigeria at large. A good proportion of oil and gas deposits are found in this region. Although most people’s livelihoods are based in the oil and gas industry, environmental management is quite a concern. . As the situation stands in Niger Delta, there are a number of environmental problems that have resulted from the oil and gas industry in this region.

They include: seismic activity, drilling operation, transportation, exploitation and exploration and refining of crude oil (Nwilo, 2003, p.76). To benefit from oil and gas earnings, it is undisputable that the above activities have to be undertaken. However, the resulting environmental degradation cannot be ignored especially in the light of sustainable development. It is important to note that oil and gas activities are not the sole cause of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta. Other contributing factors include: human livelihood activities, bunkering and militia activities, construction activities and industrial pollution (Oyibo Online, 2011).

Sustainable development is highly dependent on environmental sustainability in current and future times. This is because it directly influences cultural, social, economic and political aspects of a nation indiscriminately. Therefore, in order to improve sustainable development of oil and gas in the Niger Delta, environmental degradation that results from it is crucial to address. The needs of a society cut across social, economic and political factors. Aspects of Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta The improvement of sustainable development of oil and gas in the Niger Delta should encompass social, economic and political interests.

A sustainable environmental integrates human habitation and business aspects to environmental welfare. This means that a sustainable relationship among the three variables improves sustainable development, impacting positively to the social, economic and political needs of current and future