ABSTRACT

There has been a proliferation in the activities of crude oil exploration across the globe as a result of increase in high risk of oil spillage and the accompanying environmental hazards. In Nigeria, this has been the order of the day since the initiation of the first petroleum industry in country’s Niger delta region. Oil spills have been recurrent and impacting damaging effects on the environment particularly within the oil-producing region. This research therefore examines impacts of marine pollution on environment and shipping operations in Niger Delta region. This report is sectioned into five chapters. While Chapter one captured the introduction to the study. Chapter two, three and four reviewed the positions of other authors, research methodology and data analysis respectively. Chapter five dealt with summary and recommendations. The results of the research have identified gaps and need for improvement to manage oil spills incidents to protect the environment. It has uncovered the need for the Nigerian environmental laws and policy to be updated. Adequate technologies for oil spill should be embraced without delay by oil operators in the Niger delta region and the Nigerian government and also resources should be put into the rehabilitation of infrastructure/facilities used in oil production. Responsive measures such as bioremediation should be maintained and encouraged however proactive measures of managing oil spill such as using technology should be imbibed to prevent oil spill incidents, (for example, Pipes with high resistance to corrosion, pipe leak detective gadgets, etc.)

TABLE OF CONTENT

TITLE PAGE ……………………………………………...…………………………...….1

CERTIFICATION ………………………………………………………………..…….2

DEDICATION ………………………………..…………………………………….3

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ………...…...………………….………………………...….4

TABLE OF CONTENTS ……………………..………………………………….……5

ABSTRACT …………..…………………………………………………………….……8

LIST OF ACRONYMS ……...…………………………………………………...….9

CHAPTER ONE: ………..…………………………………………………………...10

1.0 Introduction ………...…………………………………………………………..10

1.1 Background Information ………...…………..………………………...…….10

1.2 The Degradation Of The Marine Environment ………………………...…..10

1.3 Maritime Pollution Activities ……………………………...……………..11

1.4 Main Sources of Oil Pollution of the Marine Environment …………….11

1.5 Niger Delta Region Marine Environment Pollution …………………….12

1.6 Problem Statement ………...…………………………..………………………16 

1.7 Research Objectives ………….……...………………………………………….17

1.8 Significance of the Study ……….……..……………………………………..18

1.9 Scope of the Study ………...……..……………………………………………19

CHAPTER TWO: ………... ………………….………………………………………20

2.0 Literature Review …………………………………………………………….20

2.1 Environment Pollution ……………………...……………………………..20

2.2 Marine Environment Pollution …………………………………………….21

2.2.1 Marine Pollution Sources From Ships …………………………………….23

2.2.2 Oil Spills …………………………………………………………………….23      

2.3 Hazardous and Noxious substances (HNS) in Marine pollution …………....26

2.4 Bunker Oil Pollution …………...…………………………………………….….28

2. 5 Causes of Marine Pollution in the Niger Delta …….…………………....…29

2.6 Impacts of Marine Pollution in the Niger Delta ………….…………………30

2.6.1 Socio-Economic Development of the Niger Delta ……………………32

2.6.2 Poverty in the Niger Delta region of Marine Pollution …...………..33

2.7 Prevention of Marine Pollution Regulation and Rules ……….……….…...37

2.8    Special Rules for Oil Pollution Damage ……..………..…………………….38 

CHAPTER THREE: …………...………………………………………………………..39

3.0 Research Methodology …….………………..……………………………..39

3.1 Description of the Study Area ......…………...…………………………...39

3.2 Research Design ……...……….…………………………………………….39

3.3 Method of Data Collection ………..…………….……………………………..39

3.4 Data Limitation …….…………..…………………………………………..40

3.5 Method of Data Analysis …………………………………………………….40 3.5.1 Summative Approach ….…………………….…..……………….40 3.5.2 Simple Percentage ……...……………..………………………………40 3.5.3 Incremental Averages ….…………….….………………………..40

CHAPTER FOUR ……………………………...…..…………………………………41

4.0 Data Presentation, Analysis and Discussion of Findings and Results ….…41

4.1 Data Presentation ………..………………………………………….………..42 

4.2 Data Analysis        ………..……………………………………………..………..43

4.3 Discussion of Findings and Results      ……...…………………...……………..46

CHAPTER FIVE: …………………………………………………………………….50

5.0 Summary of Findings Conclusion and Recommendation ………….….….….50

5.1 Summary of Findings …..…………………………………..…………….50

5.2 Recommendation ……….……………………………………………………51

5.3 Further Research ………...……………….………………………………….54

References ………...…………………………………….……………………………55