ABSTRACT
The issue of oil pollution has been the subject of continuous discussion in Nigeria. Nigeria is one of the world`s largest oil producing countries. The oil and gas industry accounts for a highly significant portion of the country`s economy. However, this industry has also contributed its fair share negatively to the environment of the country, particularly in the Niger Delta region, which produces the highest amount of oil in the country. Successive government have enacted several legislations and policies in a bid to prevent and provide mitigation mechanism for oil and gas pollution. Despite the legislations and efforts of government to prevent and mitigate oil and gas pollution, oil and gas pollution is still at an alarming rate in Nigeria. In 2021, the Petroleum Industry Act was enacted to provide for a better regulatory framework for the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
The study using the doctrinal research methodology, assesses the mitigation mechanisms of the PIA towards addressing the Oil and Gas pollution in Nigeria.
The study finds that despite the positive economic contribution of oil and gas exploitation to the budget financing of the country, it is bedevilled with serious pollution that has become a menace to the country. The study further finds that mitigation mechanisms put in place by the government prior to the enactment of the PIA were not far reaching enough to address the pollution menace in the country and finally that the mitigation mechanism in the PIA, particularly as relating to gas flaring penalties, remediation fund for affected communities and provisions for abandonment of oil installations are far reaching measures toward addressing oil and gas pollution.
The study contributes to knowledge by recommending to the country, the Canadian legal framework that allows citizens to sue for compensation oil explorers or companies engage in oil exploitation that pollutes sources of water open to the citizens. This process will sanitise our environment as it will put oil companies on their toes. It should also be mentioned that in Canada environmental right is not only enforceable but has also a constitutional backing. The study therefore concludes by recommending an environmental enforceable fundamental human right in Nigeria as a way of sanitising and achieving environmental sustainability.
