Environmental Related Legal Framework for Oil, Gas and Mining Sector Development in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria, the most populous nation in black Africa, rich in oil and gas reserves but Underdeveloped has her own share of environmental problems which justify local and international attention. In terms of Nigeria’s environmental problems, the four broad issues being accorded highest priority are the following.Sustainable industrial production: - With the exception of the petroleum industry, most industries do not have waste treatment systems. The few treatment plants that do exist either are not functioning as a result of over use or lack of proper servicing or are unable to cope with the vast amounts and types of industrial effluents passing through them. The real challenges of industrial pollution can be identified thus:- (a) air pollution (gas or particle emissions), especially from the cement, steel and asbestos industries; (b) land and water pollution - effluent discharged onto land and into water has become a great concern, particularly in view of the epidemic tendencies of such pollution. The pharmaceutical, chemical, textile, food processing and oil industries are the major polluters; and (c) noise pollution.Preventing and reversing desertification: - Nigeria has lost about 351000 square kilometres of its land to the desert, and the desert is advancing at a yearly rate of 0.6 kilometres. Desertification is the most important problem for northern Nigeria. Entire settlements, and in some cases major access roads, were buried by sand dunes in some parts of the north quite recently.It is against this background that this paper seeks to realize the following objectives: - 1. To examine the nature and scope of the legal regime in the oil, gas and mining sector; 2. To analyse the liability regime in oil pollution, gas flaring and the environmental regulatory framework for the mining sector development;3. To conclude with some recommendations.