Vandalization of Oil in The Niger-Delta State of Nigeria

Question: Discuss the vandalization process of pipeline within the oil communities of Niger Delta region of Nigeria? Answer: Introduction: This essay has discussed the vandalization process of pipeline within the oil communities of Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This essay discusses the process of vandalization on the pipeline of the region of Niger Delta. This raises the poverty of that particular place of Niger Delta. Oil pipeline within this region has been destroyed by some anti social people (Avwiri et al. 2012). However, this essay discusses the sole reason of this type of nuisance over the pipelines of Nigeria and the effect of this on the people and society of that region. Aim of this essay is to investigate the issues of communal disturbance within this particular region of Nigeria. The cause and effect of pipeline vandalism has also been discussed by this essay. Overview of the issue: Nigeria is a country of Africa and produces a large quantity of oil among Africa. Nigeria is the largest oil producing countries of Africa and positioned eleventh among the world. The economy of Africa depends upon the oil sector of Nigeria. The region of Niger Delta is situated in the south east part of Nigeria. In the year 1965, crude oil has been discovered in this region and this invention has been changed the people of this region. Two million barrels crude oil has been produced from Niger Delta ((Avwiri and Agbalagba, 2012). However, Badiru and Osisanya (2013) stated that, there are several places in this region has been underdeveloped till now. The people of that region has been suffered from immense poverty, backwardness etc. Exploitation of oil has become a great issue as this particular region has often being neglected by the government of African state. The Government has neglected the well being of the people and the region. For the negligence of government, the people of this region have become poor rather than other areas of Africa. Therefore, destruction of crude oil pipeline has been increased a lot within this region. Role of Government: As stated by, Kermani and Chevrot (2012), government of Nigeria has paid less attention towards the people of this region. The welfare as well as development of this area has been neglected by the government of Nigeria. Different government of several time has took initiatives but these initiatives were all not sufficient for that particular place and the well fare of that particular region of that place. Obasanjo Civilian Administration has taken initiative to develop made a Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) bill (Olufemi Onweazu, 2012). On the other hand, Omeje (2006) argued that, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) bill has faced several controversies from different sides. This bill has provided no rays of hope for this region. The people of Niger Delta had rejected this bill as because the prior needs and demands of this region had not been fulfilled by this bill. The main demands of the people were the resource controlling process. However, the process of resource controlling has not been acquired by this bill. The controversies over this particular bill were also included in the process of funding, tax payment, and constitution of council etc major issues. Moreover, the Government has not taken prior initiatives for this region. The main needs and demands of the people of this region have not been fulfilled by the Government of Nigeria. Therefore, several initiatives of government have not been accepted by the people of this particular region. Pipeline destruction within this area: According to Owolabi and Okwechime (2010), Pipeline vandalization is a big issue of this place that has been resulted from the prior negligence of the government. Pipeline vandalization has extended into the explosion at the villages of this place. This type of nuisance activities has been increased within the recent year due to the prior negligence of the government. On the other hand, Rusco (2012) stated that, the main occupation of the people of this particular area is fishing. Apart from this activity, occupation of vandalization of pipelines is one of the major activities of the people of this region. However, the techniques of vandalism vary for the people of different places of this particular region. Major regions where vandalism takes place are the poorest place of this region. However, Owolabi and Okwechime (2010) argued that, the group who has been engaged in the vandalization process is highly knowledgeable of the process and system of pipeline. They also know the availabilities of cells and the numbers of fishes that has been cached per day. Immense poverty, colonialism and imperialism have affected the people of this region. The level of poverty has impacted upon this practice of nuisance of pipeline vandalization process of this region. Various types of product marketing company have recorded approx 100 cases of vandalism in this region. Several people have been died from this case of vandalism within this area. Adeje, Warri, Delta State have been victimized by this pipeline vandalism. However, Omeje (2006) argued that, governments intervention is not sufficient for resolving this case. The president of African Government has ordered to shoot the people who have found to vandalizing the pipeline of crude oil. The fire that has been set from the explosion of pipeline vandalization has caused for the death of many people of that particular region. On the other hand, Jacoby (2012) stated that, issue of underdevelopment is the major causes of vandalization exploitation, environmental devastation, degradation etc. The problems those are faced by the people of Niger Delta region are very much related with the underdevelopment, unemployment etc. Lack of good provision of road transformation, lack of effective health facilities and road transportation has impacted upon the people of the particular region to promote vandalism. Effect of pipeline vandalization: As stated by, Inkpen and Moffett (2011), oil pipeline vandalization has immense effects on the environmental pollution of the region. Freshwater pollution, soil pollution, gas pollution, chemical pollution, land pollution, air pollution, chemical pollution has been caused by oil pipeline vandalization and exploration. On the other hand, Avwiri and Agbalagba (2012) stated that, waste pollution, shortage of freshwater, loss of ecological system has been also caused by this vandalization. Noise pollution, health problem within the inhabitants of this region has been caused by the vandalization and exploration of the pipeline. These environmental problems have also caused for major societal issues of the particular region. However, Omeje (2006) stated that, land of Niger Delta has been polluted by the vandalization of pipeline. Land surface of this place has been ruined by the misuse of oil. Communal conflict has also been practices over this pipeline vandalism within this region. These problems are often characterized as social problems for the people of the particular region. Therefore, environmental problems are the most important issues for the society and the particular region. Inhabitants of Niger Delta have suffered from the several environmental issues due to the pipeline vandalism of this particular place. Soil erosion and waste erosion has been impacted upon the problems of this place within the people of the particular region. Pipeline explosion has also impacted over the poor people of that place. Conclusion: Underdevelopment, poverty and negligence of government have created trouble to the people of Niger Delta region. For this case, the people have associated with the vandalization process. Therefore, the government should be responsible on this purpose. Oil exploitation has resulted environmental degradation of Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Government should focus upon the needs and demands of the people of that particular region. Government should take responsibility in order to eradicate the poverty and underdevelopment of this place within this region. Reference lists Books Badiru, A. and Osisanya, S. (2013). 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