For many decades, Oil Spills in the Niger Delta have posed a serious threat to the environment and society, having a profound effect on the local economy, communities, and ecosystem. Ongoing exploration activities of the region’s rich oil reserves has resulted in significant environmental damage, mostly from oil spills. Rivers, creeks, and other bodies of water that are essential to the local inhabitants’ way of life are contaminated. Oil spills permeate into the ground, making a lot of farming land unusable. Gas flaring, which is frequently connected to oil spills, releases dangerous chemicals into the environment, worsening the surrounding population’s respiratory conditions and the quality of the air.
An investigation conducted by Environmental experts and marine biologists found levels of hazardous bacteria and biohazards in the water and dead fish that exceeded the US Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations. This was largely caused by surrounding oil companies’ Gas Flaring and oil spills. High levels of radioactivity were discovered, including thorium and uranium concentrations fourfold above the global norm and gamma radiation exposure almost double the global average. The local residents are more likely to experience respiratory problems, skin conditions, and Cancer due to these contaminants.
Nearly 77% of spilled oil is lost to the environment.
Harmful substances including lead, benzene, and toluene—all linked to oil sector operations and possessing carcinogenic qualities—were found in the water and fish tissues through laboratory testing. Additionally, dangerous germs like Salmonella and E. Coli were found, further jeopardizing biodiversity and public health. In spite of the community’s vigorous calls over the years, no notable intervention has been made to clean the spills. The report suggested that the community be alerted right away to the risks associated with drinking contaminated water and eating dead fish, and called for urgent clean-up procedures to be carried out.
Within the region, only about 23 percent of the crude oil that spilled was retrieved from the environment, meaning that nearly 77 percent of the crude oil is lost to the environment. This is an extremely concerning proportion considering the known and unknown harmful effects of oil spill. A 2023 report from the Nigerian National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) reveals that in 2022 alone, there were 822 recorded oil leak occurrences in the Niger Delta, resulting in the environmental release of about 22,300 barrels of oil. Compared to other years, there have been a few fewer leaks, but the amount of oil spilt remains high.
Community-based monitoring systems were implemented.
The Environmental Rights Action (ERA) organization conducted an air quality survey in 2022 and found that the levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) in the vicinity of oil spill locations were 200% higher than WHO recommended levels. This resulted in a rise in respiratory ailments among the local people. According to a Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) health survey from 2022, areas affected by recent oil spills reported a 35% rise in incidences of cancer, skin infections, and respiratory illnesses. The study also showed that highly polluted locations have an increase in miscarriages and birth abnormalities.
In 2022, the Nigerian government expedited the remediation of oil-contaminated areas in Ogoniland by initiating the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP). A 2023 status report, however, revealed that just 15 percent of the scheduled restoration activities had been finished, pointing to problems with finances and logistics. Community-based monitoring systems were implemented in 2023 as part of an initiative headed by the Nigerian NGO Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN). This allowed local citizens to use mobile phones to report oil spills in real-time. As a result of the project, there have been 20% more spills recorded in a 24-hour period, enabling quicker reaction times.
Related Article: End environment damage in Niger Delta — Group
International communities’ attention has been drawn to the Niger Delta oil leaks incidents, as Human Rights and environmental groups have called for more improved procedures and increased accountability. Notable incidents, like those involving Shell, have prompted international litigation and settlements, pushing for more stringent environmental Legislation and greater reparations for impacted populations. To improve the ecology and quality of life in the area, more community involvement, improved corporate accountability, and stricter enforcement of regulations are required.