Oil and Gas Pipelines versus Environmental Health and Safety in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
Friday A. Ogwu
School of Environmental Sciences
Department of Urban and Regional Planning
Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, NigeriaEmail:fridayogwu@mautech.edu.ng
ABSTRACT
This paper analyses the impact of oil and gas pipelines on the environment and settlements from the perspective of environmental health and safety, using a case study of the oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The paper mobilises theories of environmental justice to support an in-depth empirical analysis of the development and management of oil and gas pipelines in the region.The empirical evidence equally suggests that the lack of community involvement and appropriate recognition of some groups of stakeholders in the management of the oil and gas pipeline project is strongly related to the incidence of pipeline impacts on the communities. The paper advocates a new approach, based on the core principles of environmental justice that promotes inclusion of the necessary stakeholders, including the physical planners, and would incorporate local knowledge and experience into the environmental management of the region in a way to protect the environment and people from the impacts of the pipeline.
Keywords: environmental justice, planning, oil and gas pipelines, Niger Delta, Nigeria
