Oil spill incidents and pipeline vandalization in Nigeria Impact on public health and negation to attainment of Millennium development oal: the Ishiagu example

摘要

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review oil spill incidents and pipeline vandalism in Nigeriabetween 1970 and 2006 and to examine the potential danger posed by such activities to public health. Design/methodology/approach – The approach adopted to achieve this objective is questionnaireadministration on health impacts. Also secondary sources of information come from textbooks andjournals. However, data from natural resources exploitation and hazards are collated and analyzed. Findings – It is evident that, out of the 1,000 reported oil spill incidents analyzed, some hundreds ofthousands of barrels of oil are lost to the environment. Graphic pictures of typical oil spill through actsof vandalism in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria are analyzed and reviewed. The run-off andsedimentation of this pollutant in fresh water systems severely degrade water quality, affect fishspawning and aquatic invertebrates' habitats, thus lowering food web productivity. Incidentally thespill-over effect on humans who directly depend on fish and other aquatic food as an alternativeprotein supplement is quite inundating. The effects on humans include irritation, dermatitis, cancer,occurrence of abortion, organ failure and genetic disorder. Research limitations/implications – The limitations encountered in this research work includelogistics problems, poor response and uncooperative attitude from respondents, transportationdifficulties and restricted access to impacted sites by law enforcement agents and funding. Thereforesubsequent researchers in this area should be equipped adequately with both the necessary protectivegadgets and increased funding to meet challenges of this nature. Practical implications – The practical implication of the study is that oil spill incidents should bedocumented and reported early enough for prompt attention by the regulatory agencies in order toprotect and enhance the quality of the environment. Originality/value – The value of the paper is that oil spill and pipeline vandalization devastate theenvironment, pollute dependable potable water sources such as streams and rivers and should be seenas a serious threat and negation to the attainment of the United Nations Millennium developmentgoals.