Oil exploration and the challenges of implementing environmental laws

There is no doubt that the Niger Delta region generates bulk of the revenue to the country which account for over 80% of government revenue, 95% of foreign exchange earnings and 95% of export receipt. With God-given wealth, the region plays a strategic role in the socio economic development of the Nation. Going by such importance as a veritable source of raw material (crude), revenue spinner for both Federal Government and oil Multinational companies, one would expect the Niger Delta region, in return, to be one of the most developed region of the world in terms of physical infrastructures, human empowerment, advanced technology and tourist attraction etc. but on the contrary, the region has continued to live in conditions of social deprivation, abject poverty, untold hardship, social neglect, unemployment, poor infrastructure, disorientation and disease arising from oil exploration and inhuman treatment by Oil Trans National Companies on one hand and obnoxious policies and outright neglect by the federal government of Nigeria on the other hand.