Evaluation of public policies guiding aquatic resource(s) exploitation and uses in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria, like most developing nations of the world, is facing an environmental as well as economic crisis. This paper identifies a new crisis in a very sensitive sector of the economy, the oil sector. In response to a number of influences, not least the growing concern over environmental consequences of aquatic resource exploitation and uses, including physical damage and pollution due to the exploration of oil and gas in many coastal or riverine areas, the government is gradually considering many policy options. The key concern involves discovering the technical relationships between oil and gas exploration, as well as the economic, social and institutional means of ensuring that oil and gas exploration continues with minimal environmental damage and pollution. The government seems to be at a crossroad regarding the uncertainty of some decisions taken in the past to combat environmental damage and pollution in the exploration of oil and gas. The survey data reported here provides some answers on how to better create a balance among several interest areas and groups in policy formation regarding environmental safety in the exploration of oil and gas in the riverine areas of Nigeria.