Environmental Degradation, Militancy/Kidnapping and Oil Theft in Helon Habila’s Oil in Water

Abstract

The degradation of the Niger Delta environment through pollution has constituted challenges and concern for the people of the oil rich region. The ecosystem has completely been violated and destroyed. The destruction of the flora and fauna without clean – ups or compensation paid to host communities have resulted in youth restiveness and the up surge of militancy in the region. The violation of the system by the multinationals and the insensitivity of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the plight of the Niger Delta people have also escalated the controversies. The government has been indicted for lack of development of the region. Militancy/kidnapping are social vices which have bedeviled the area and led to oil theft through vandalization of oil pipelines and illegal bunkering causing widespread spillages, degradation and pollution of the ecosystem. This ugly trend often leads to closure of oil companies, loss of revenue, life and the people’s source of livelihood. This paper therefore seeks to explore the issues of environmental degradation and its attendant consequences like the rise of militancy, Kidnapping, bunkering, oil theft in the region using Helon Habila’s Oil on Water as the focal text. The paper seeks to proffer solutions to this age-long problem if socio-economic and political growth is to be met in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n2p383