Political Ecology of Environmental Management and Resource Control in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria (Lessons of Experience and the Way Forward)

Abstract

Environmental issue is a very sensitive matter in state governance today in sub-Saharan Africa. Its utilization and management are issues that government can hardly ignore. Oil is Nigeria`s highest source of foreign earnings. And 94% of the commodity is produce in Niger Delta region of the country while the remaining 4.5% is produce in the south eastern region of the country specifically in areas between Abia and Imo states while the remaining 1.5% is produce in the south western state of Ondo. Minimal governmental attention to environmental management in region where this commodity is produce is translating in demand for resource control and other forms of civil disobedience. Conducted with the use of quantitative research analysis and method, this work examines the meanings of political ecology, environmental management and resource control in relations to the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The work also examines some of the emerging lessons been learnt from state negligence of environmental management in the region. Lessons emanating from demand for resource control by the people of the region were also examine by the study. And finally, the work also made suggestions on the way forward on this sensitive political ecological matter.