Licensing of Modular Refineries by Government in the Niger Delta Region to Stop Artisanal Refining of Crude in the Creeks: A Review

Abstract

The main source associated with ecological airborne contaminants is particle emissions from improper combustion processes in car exhaust, tyre burning, and waste, which are mostly caused by people's over-reliance on petroleum-based products and biofuels. These activities lead to inadequate combustion of exhaust from automobiles, burning of tyres, and waste. The contaminants are carried by air and harm human health as well as the ecosystem. Nigeria is one of the continent's top producers of petroleum products but is faced with inadequate implementation of anti-pollution laws by regulatory authorities. The goal of this narrative is to review and highlight the dangers of airborne contaminants in the Niger Delta region and the necessity for the government to provide licences to modular refineries to cease the illegal production of oil in remote regions (creeks). This would lessen the threat posed by illegal "bunkers" and the ongoing contaminants in the air in the Niger Delta region. It is preferable to eliminate air pollution at its source rather than to lessen its effects as according to WHO standards, most times, smoke loads discharged into the atmosphere are generally over legally acceptable limits. The small-scale, unauthorised burning of hydrocarbons to produce the essential goods—petrol, diesel, and kerosene—needed by the general public is not efficiently exploited. These illicit artisanal refining spills into the creeks are creating another ecological hazard that results in aquatic contamination of our waterways that eventually end up in the sea. Pits excavated to hold the remaining products are typically over-floated during the wet season, which overflows into the creeks leading to environmental pollution.