Gas Flaring and the Contours in the Mismanagement of Nigeria Niger-Delta Environment

Abstract

Though, oil is central to the current industrial development and economic activities, the rate of exploration and exploitation has not been fair to environmental health and social life. The study exposes the mismanagement of gas exploitation activities leading to flaring in the region with serious consequences on the economic, ecological and community (socio-cultural) sustainability. Paper adopted quantitative and qualitative methods in the analysis of data generated through primary and secondary sources. Using environmental pollution and environmental degradation theory, findings reveal that carbon monoxide level of ambient air exists in some villages, showing that emissions relating to flaring were high due to mismanagement leading to ecological damage and related diseases which portend serious effects on climate change, greenhouse gas emission and the attainment of sustainable development to the nation’s economy. The study recommends the collecting of the gaseous fuel and energy for state utilization and income and for government to develop the will to manage the existing hurdles with good policies that promotes sustainable development in the energy sector.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n5p263