Towards Transparency in Oil Spill Management in Africa: Nigeria As A Case Study

Abstract

Oil spill is an inevitable occurrence in the production, transportation and processing of crude oil. Either in drilling platforms, oil tankers and interstate pipelines, oil spill incidence can occur, no matter the safeguard and precautionary practices in the oil and gas industry. Despite significant improvement over the years in oil spill prevention, preparedness, response, and restoration, oil spill management remains one of the most controversial issues across the world. In many developing countries including Nigeria, the management of oil spill is poorly coordinated, complicated and lacks transparency between the oil industry, spill contractors, regulators, environmental agencies, affected communities and other interested parties. From decision making to mobilization, post-impact assessment, spill response and mitigative approaches, there is a high level of laxity, mistrust, opacity and deliberate misinformation in dealing with oil spill issues. These practices in the oil industry is supported by a weak institutional and regulatory framework which affects the management of oil spill. Such lapses are creating a delicate system leading to the degradation of the natural environment, threatening ecological life support systems for biodiversity and indigenous people. There is a need for a comprehensive overhaul in oil spill practices and to adopt global best practices for oil spill management in developing regions of the world including Nigeria.