OIL SPILLAGE A PUBLIC HEALTH RISK IN NIGERIA

Oil spill can be defined as an intentional or accidental discharge of oil or oil product which pollutes the surrounding environment having major effect on marine-wildlife, environment and air resulting in a health risk to humans.

In developed countries, Natural disasters, equipment failure, extraction and transportation of oil include methods of oil spillage. war or terrorism might involve deliberate act of oil spillage. However, in most developing countries like Nigeria, oil spillage occurs due to equipment failure, human error and sabotage, deliberate disposal of used oil, exploration and exploitation.

Oil spillage has the tendency to cause short term and long term environmental imbalance, ecological risk (sea birds and mammals), economic impact (fishery and farming) and health issues to human if not properly taken care of. 

In Nigeria, oil is major contributor to growth and development and accounts for 95% of foreign exchange earning while economic revenue accounts for 80%. Nevertheless before the discovery of oil in Nigeria, agriculture was recognised as a major source of export. Most states in the oil producing region of Nigeria depend mainly on agriculture and fishery as a source of livelihood. Every year oil spill the size of Exxon Valdez’s has poured in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria (Baird, 2010). The effect of oil spillage is very costly as farming and fishery, which constitute 70% of indigence occupation in that locality is significantly affected

Nigeria communities affect by the oil spill are plagued with increased household food insecurity and child malnutrition, dramatic decrease in crop yield and land productivity which greatly depressed farm income.

presently it is difficult to determine the full magnitude of oil spill on the public, environment and country, but the short term devastating effect cannot be ignored. Nevertheless the response to oil spill in Nigeria has been generally poor.

The government has taken bold steps in complying acts, laws, policies and forming agencies in responds to oil spill. However in assessing the responds to oil spillage in Nigeria various factors hinder the process. Security issues are a major concern but can be handled carefully if much attention is paid to it. To prevent further conflicts, crises and kidnappings the government should respond quickly to oil spills and protect the communities affect. Lack of support by the government was notable. The government should support agencies involved in the responds and management of oil spill by providing appropriate resources funding and equipment for increased effectiveness. Oil companies should take responsibilities of oil spill despite the origin and compensate communities affected. The government should ensure that companies that fail to comply with the rule should have their licence revoked and penalties paid. There is need for transparency and clear communication in the governments dealing with the oil companies by informing the population on the magnitude of the oil and protective measure that can be taken. Risk communication and raising awareness on the impact of oil spill in affect communities and providing the public with guidelines and safety precautions should be emphasized and will reduced the increasing health problems due to oil spill. The government should collaborate with the leaders in affected communities to ensure an effective communication and awareness strategy is in place. This lack of communication increases the health risk of affect communities. Addressing the public concerns might go a long way in rebuilding the public trust in oil companies. Also, due to uncertainty in the health consequences of oil spill, effective monitoring and surveillance of affected individuals is necessary to determine long and short term health effect of oil spill.