Niger Delta

==Environmental issues==
The Niger Delta is a region of unparalleled ecological richness, characterized by its intricate network of waterways, lush mangrove forests, and diverse ecosystems. However, the serene beauty of this landscape has been damaged by a persistent environmental menace, oil spills. Over the years, the Niger Delta has experienced a series of devastating oil spills, primarily caused by industrial activities related to the extraction and transportation of oil and gas. Due to this high amount of spills, the Niger Delta is considered one of the most polluted areas on Earth.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Anejionu |first1=Obinna Chukwubuikem Diony |last2=Blackburn |first2=George Alan |last3=Whyatt |first3=J. Duncan |title=Satellite survey of gas flares: development and application of a Landsat-based technique in the Niger Delta |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01431161.2013.879351 |journal=International Journal of Remote Sensing |pages=1900–1925 |language=en |doi=10.1080/01431161.2013.879351 |date=4 March 2014|volume=35 |issue=5 |bibcode=2014IJRS...35.1900A |s2cid=53705868 }}</ref> These spills have inflicted severe and continuous damage on the delicate balance of the region's ecosystems. They impact both the environment and the livelihoods of the communities that depend on its resources.

Two spills in 2008 and 2009 have been the largest and most harmful by far, collectively lasting for almost 150 days and causing flora death over a span of 393 km2. The extensive network of tidal rivers and mangrove swamps make it even easier for the oil to spread quickly, and the delta becomes a sink, trapping the oil that is not removed.<ref name="sciencedirect.com">{{cite journal |last1=Obida |first1=Christopher B. |last2=Blackburn |first2=George A. |last3=Whyatt |first3=James D. |last4=Semple |first4=Kirk T. |title=Counting the cost of the Niger Delta's largest oil spills: Satellite remote sensing reveals extensive environmental damage with >1million people in the impact zone |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969721009219 |journal=Science of the Total Environment |pages=145854 |doi=10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145854 |date=25 June 2021|volume=775 |bibcode=2021ScTEn.775n5854O |s2cid=233538622 }}</ref> The spills came from a pipeline operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company. In addition to smaller spills that took place over the years 2006–2019, it is estimated that a total of 92,479,170 liters (or 24430412.139 gallons) of crude oil were released into the studied area.<ref name="sciencedirect.com"/>

Since then, following spills have continued to exacerbate the ecological damage. The exact impact of spills like these is hard to know due to the fact that traditional field studies are nearly impossible in this region. However, techniques such as the normalized difference vegetation index have been successful in measuring the impact of oil spills on the river's plant health. Additionally, independently collected field samples have confirmed the presence of hydrocarbon pollutants in high concentration in the impacted areas.<ref name="sciencedirect.com"/>

Oil and gas pollution/spills greatly increase the possibility of human exposure to dangerous chemicals. Many components of crude oil are particularly concerning due to their link to the health problems caused by exposure.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ugochukwu |first1=Uzochukwu C. |last2=Ochonogor |first2=Alfred |last3=Jidere |first3=Chika M. |last4=Agu |first4=Chizoba |last5=Nkoloagu |first5=Frida |last6=Ewoh |first6=John |last7=Okwu-Delunzu |first7=Virginia U. |title=Exposure risks to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by humans and livestock (cattle) due to hydrocarbon spill from petroleum products in Niger-delta wetland |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016041201732158X |journal=Environment International |pages=38–47 |doi=10.1016/j.envint.2018.03.010 |date=1 June 2018|volume=115 |pmid=29547867 |bibcode=2018EnInt.115...38U |s2cid=3902367 }}</ref> This includes organic contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Philibert |first1=Danielle A. |last2=Lyons |first2=Danielle |last3=Philibert |first3=Clara |last4=Tierney |first4=Keith B. |title=Field-collected crude oil, weathered oil and dispersants differentially affect the early life stages of freshwater and saltwater fishes |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969718330213 |journal=Science of the Total Environment |pages=1148–1157 |doi=10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.052 |date=10 January 2019|volume=647 |pmid=30180323 |bibcode=2019ScTEn.647.1148P |s2cid=52156999 }}</ref> as well as heavy metals such as lead, vanadium and cadmium.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} In fact, according to the Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks, more than 1300 different chemicals can be put into the environment as a result of oil and gas exploration.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bertollini |first1=Roberto |last2=Teresa |first2=Borges |last3=Pim |first3=deVoogt |last4=Peter |first4=Hoet |title=OPINION ON the public health impacts and risks resulting from onshore oil and gas exploration and exploitation in the EU |journal=Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks SCHEER |date=30 November 2018}}</ref> Then, humans come in contact with these harmful substances through eating contaminated food as well as breathing in the air pollution.<ref name="The human health risk estimation of">{{cite journal |last1=Afshar-Mohajer |first1=Nima |last2=Fox |first2=Mary A. |last3=Koehler |first3=Kirsten |title=The human health risk estimation of inhaled oil spill emissions with and without adding dispersant |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969718344656 |journal=Science of the Total Environment |pages=924–932 |doi=10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.110 |date=1 March 2019|volume=654 |pmid=30453262 |bibcode=2019ScTEn.654..924A |s2cid=53946118 }}</ref> Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are especially concerning because of their persistence in the environment. Even in low amounts, the prolonged exposure can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other chronic illnesses.<ref name="The human health risk estimation of"/> In general, the harmful pollutants emitted from oil spills and other pollution include cancer, metabolic syndrome, miscarriages, stillbirths, and infertility.<ref name="The human health risk estimation of"/> Less deadly, but still serious, health problems include headache, watery eyes, sore throat, respiratory problems, itchy skin, rashes on face and neck, sneezing, coughing, nausea, dizziness, chest pain, and diarrhea are common issues caused from oil spills.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nriagu |first1=Jerome |last2=Udofia |first2=Emilia A. |last3=Ekong |first3=Ibanga |last4=Ebuk |first4=Godwin |title=Health Risks Associated with Oil Pollution in the Niger Delta, Nigeria |journal=International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |pages=346 |doi=10.3390/ijerph13030346 |date=March 2016 |volume=13 |issue=3 |pmid=27007391 |pmc=4809009 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Collectively, more than 1 million people live in the area that has been contaminated by oil/gas pollution. This population is especially vulnerable to chronic illnesses because of their pre-existing low life expectancy and large ratio of young people.<ref name="sciencedirect.com"/> Additionally, a 2006 report done by the United Nations Development Programme says “The Niger Delta is a region suffering from administrative neglect, crumbling social infrastructure and services, high unemployment, social deprivation, abject poverty, filth and squalor, and endemic conflict,".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nations |first1=United |title=Human Development Report |url=https://hdr.undp.org/content/human-development-report#:~:text=%22The%20Niger%20Delta%20is%20a,conflict%2C%22%20says%20the%20report. |publisher=United Nations |language=en |date=1 January 2006}}</ref> These factors make it increasingly harder for the local communities to deal with the negative effects caused by foreign oil exploration.

The people affected by oil spills in the Niger Delta are diverse communities residing in the region. Their lives are intricately connected to the natural environment. These communities, often made up of indigenous groups, rely on the Niger Delta's resources for their food, water, livelihoods, and cultural practices. The impact of oil spills on these communities is multi-faceted and extends beyond health problems. Fishing and agriculture are central to the livelihoods of many Niger Delta communities. Oil spills contaminate water sources and farmlands, severely affecting fish stocks and crops. This disruption can lead to food shortages and economic hardship for those dependent on these activities.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Osuagwu |first1=Eze Simpson |last2=Olaifa |first2=Eseoghene |title=Effects of oil spills on fish production in the Niger Delta |journal=PLOS ONE |pages=e0205114 |language=en |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0205114 |date=25 October 2018 |volume=13 |issue=10 |pmid=30359365 |bibcode=2018PLoSO..1305114O |doi-access=free |pmc=6201865 }}</ref>

Another facet of the people's livelihoods is their culture. The Niger Delta's people have strong spiritual and cultural ties to their environment. The harm inflicted on their land and waterways caused by oil spills deeply disrupts sacred sites and interferes with their cultural practices. The loss of these cultural elements contributes to a sense of displacement and identity crisis among the affected groups/communities.<ref name=soa>{{cite journal |first=S.O. |last=Aghalino |title=Oil and Cultural Crisis: The Case of the Niger Delta |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301637735 |journal=Africana |volume=5 |issue=1 |page=15 |date=February 2011 |access-date=December 14, 2023}}</ref>

Additionally, when communities fight back against the oil industries as an act of protest, violence is often perpetuated. Since the 1990s there has been continuous violence in an effort to give local communities control of the oil in the delta. These acts of violence include kidnapping of foreign oil workers and holding them for ransom, vandalization, and even the blowing-up of oil installations.<ref name=soa/>