The Niger Delta, also identified as Oil Rivers for after being the largest producer of palm oil, is undergoing catastrophic crisis of marine life and ecosystem because of oil spills. According to an estimate, there have been about 7000 oil spills in the delta among 1970 and 2000 alone.
The Niger Delta that spans more than 70,000 km² and makes up 7.five% of Nigeria’s land mass consists of Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States. It was after a prime example of African beauty – Full of organic resources. But, regrettably, right now this region is suffering from ecological disaster. Due to its massive organic sources the Niger Delta region has passed through a lot of struggling and insurgent phases. Because the colonial period it is suffering from warfare, lacks of development and militancy.
Geographically it can be divided into three regions. Western Niger Delta consists of Delta, Edo, and Ondo States. The populations of Wester Niger Delta is an amalgamation of numerous ethnic groups like Ijaw in majority and comparatively smaller sized ethnic groups of Urhobo, Ezon, Igbo, Isoko, Itsekiri, and Ukwuani. Fishing and vegetations are their primary source of revenue. The society of Central Niger Delta includes Bayelsa and Rivers States. Ijaw , Okrika, and Andoni clans, the Ogoni and Igbo groups. The third division of the Niger Delta is Eastern Niger Delta possessing Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. The individuals of Eastern Niger Delta region belong to the Efik, Ibibio, Annang, Oron and Ogoja communities. The colonial domination in this area has resulted into the division of all these ethnic groups on the base of languages and beliefs. All of the population due to divide-and-conquer approach is continuously in the phase of warfare for dwindling resources.
The extraction of mineral oil from Niger Delta is practically two million barrels per day and it is the backbone of Nigerian economy which comprises 75% of Nigerian export earnings. But it has also triggered the severe environment degradation in this region which is no doubt an alarming problem of the day. Oil spills is 1 of the key result in of pollution in the Neger delta which is occurring due to corrosion of pipelines and tankers and inadequate or non-functional production gear. On the other hand from the oil wells the emission of all-natural gas is right away burned at a rate of 70 million m³per day which is 40% of total African natural gas consumption. This way the precious fuel is not only wasted but it is also the biggest supply of greenhouse gas emissions on earth.
The Niger Delta also possess a single of the best ecosystem containing 1 of the highest concentrations of biodiversity on the planet. The flora and fauna contains wide selection of crops, lumber or agricultural trees, and more species of freshwater fish than any ecosystem in West Africa. The mangrove forests reserves are spread over an region of 8,580 km² of land which are considerable for the indigenous population in this area. Due to huge petroleum activity these mangrove forests are diminishing rapidly which is equally dangerous for the lives of other plants and animals with humans. Mangrove forests are also the major source of wood for nearby men and women.
The Niger River is a house of almost 250 species of fish, of which 20 are endemic, These 20 species of fish are discovered nowhere else on Earth. Climate change, habitat loss, and pollution are the main factors of producing these uncommon fish species in endangered list. Water Hyacinth which was introduced in this location as a fragrant plant to absorb the pollution , it has also threatened the environment since it is continuously depleting the water of oxygen and therefore caused the lives of marine species in danger.
To safeguard Niger Delta from the future contamination is the dire require of the day. The dense human population is suffered from many chronic illnesses and unavailability of fundamental necessities of life like secure and clean drinking water. Despite the fact that numerous welfare organizations are functioning to produce atmosphere awareness in the region but the predicament can never ever be enhanced with out the correct implementation of good techniques from the Nigerian government.
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