Space and Managing the Impact of Petroleum Activities on the Nigerian Environment- a Policy Issue
- Paper number
IAC-08.E2.1.9
- Author
Ms. Olufunke Ero-Phillips, Nigeria
- Coauthor
Dr. Simon Adebola, France
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger delta has made it Africa’s largest exporter of crude oil and the 8th world wide. However, the impact of petroleum activities on this area which holds over 70 percent of the continent’s mangrove habitats and about 60 percent of its freshwater fish stocks has made it one of the most polluted spots in the world. Activities such as oil spillage, incessant gas flaring (the 2nd worst in the world) and other hazards have greatly contributed to this. However because of the prominence of the oil industry in the country and Nigeria’s near total dependence on petroleum for its economy (95 percent of export revenue), effective control of these activities has been difficult. The purpose of this paper is to show how space technology can be used to develop and sustain an effective policy for managing the environmental effect of petroleum activities. The impact these activities have had on the environment and the livelihood of the affected communities is highlighted. Legal measures put in place to curb the destruction of the environment in this region have largely failed due to various factors discussed in this study. The role of remote sensing technology in supporting the existing legal framework to increase its effectiveness and also in monitoring the effect of other remediation efforts is also discussed. We also discuss the role Nigeria’s growing fleet of satellites can play in this respect. A closer look at the existing laws is taken with a discussion on the points that need to be addressed and measures that need to be taken in ensuring that they become relevant in curbing the menace of petroleum-induced environmental pollution. An agency exists in Nigeria for oil spill monitoring but the need to ensure cooperation between this agency, the space agency and other environmental stakeholders to develop a system that would be effective in handling the challenge of environmental degradation is discussed along with other recommendations for a successful legal and policy framework. This could also act as a model for environmental monitoring of petroleum activities in Africa. This paper represents original work by both authors into the situation described and these are their views on efforts that can be put in place to ensure an effective turnaround. It has not been presented before and attendance at the congress is assured.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.E2.1.9.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.