Environmental Implications of Natural Gas Development in Nigeria

This research contributes to the pertinent issue of environmental degradation as a result of oil and gas exploration activities in the Niger Delta region. Gas flaring is a serious threat to the survival of the subsistence peasant rural communities due to the dispossession of their means of livelihood and lack of sustainable development. The multiplier effects are declining agricultural productivity, food insecurity, deprivation, economic migration, unemployment, poor human health, poverty and violent conflict. The continuing environmental degradation in the Niger Delta points towards serious weaknesses of environmental policy failure both at national and international level. Notwithstanding the limitations posed by the security situation in the Niger Delta, which hinder access to extremely remote locations, however, the research explores the qualitative method of data collections. The findings revealed widespread environmental degradation and also demonstrates that substantial policy reforms are required to ensure a satisfactory long term environmental sustainability of the local population.