Industrial Waste Management and Environmental Pollution in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Issues and Realities

Abstract

The discovery of huge crude oil deposits in Oloibiri present-day Bayelsa state in 1956, and the subsequent drilling and refining of this great natural resource since 1958 has no doubt brought immeasurable industrial revolution to Nigeria. However, the attendant consequence of waste generation came with it as an extra baggage which can never be deemed as unexpected. The challenge actually in the Niger Delta situation has over time become proper management of industrial wastes generated daily in huge tonnage. Nigeria’s Niger Delta region over the years has been paying the huge price for this social malaise. This paper focuses on the fact that the improper management of industrial waste has been thriving and taking its disastrous toll on the people because of dysfunctional administrative systems, thus continuously exposing the environment– both land and sea habitats to avertable danger. The paper concludes that effective management strategies if and when deployed would sanitize the region and enhance the living standard of its people.