Evaluation of the Impact of Oil Tanker Accidents on Niger Delta Areas in Nigeria.

Abstract

: This study was carried out to critically evaluate the impact of maritime tanker accidents in the Nigerian coastal Environment with its objective to determining the causes of the maritime tanker accidents and the effects on the coastal environment. Data was collected by both primary and secondary sources with a personal interview of ninety respondents out of a target population of 200 officially recognized maritime tanker operators in Nigeria. Secondary data was also generated by the consultation of periodicals, journals and magazine. Demographic characteristics of the respondents was analyzed using both descriptive statistical tools like the percentage, tables while the hypothesis was tested utilizing a chi square statistical tool in order to determine the acceptance or the rejection of the stated hypothesis. The study revealed that marine tanker oil accidents were caused mainly by human errors also that marine tanker accidents actually do have a negative effect on the Nigerian coastal Environment and that these tanker accidents in the Nigerian coastal environment affects the nation’s economy by the detrimental effects it places on aquatic habitat , farmland and the climate as a whole. Consequently, it was recommended amongst others that the need for and enforced coast guard agency should be on ground to check mate operations along the Nigeria coastal environment and penalties be placed on defaulters of coastal environmental regulations.