Effects and Causes of Illegal Crude Oil Bunkering in Nigeria: Case Study Niger Delta

Abstract

Illegal bunkering of crude oil includes stealing crude oil as well as its derivatives through diverse mechanism without the permission of the Federal government. Crude oil blasts and spillages are common occurrences in Niger Delta area, due to illegal bunkering of crude oil. This paper investigates the causes and effects of illegal bunkering of crude oil in Niger Delta area, which has become a major threat in the environment and the Nigerian economy in recent time. Opuama, Igbomotoru, and Diebu Communities are all in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (SILGA), Bayelsa State, Niger Delta province. Over 90 people (both men and women), ranging in age from 18 to 90, were interviewed to gather the primary data. About 30 persons from each community of the age groups of 18 - 30, 31 - 50, and 51 - 90 years were interviewed, which focused mainly on effects of unauthorized bunkering of crude oil on human health, and its environment. Every investigation and data that were gotten from the three communities has negative health impact on people and the environment. These illegal bunkering of crude oil activities has caused poverty to many people in these communities with health, environmental, and economic challenges. The study also discovered that Nigeria has loss revenues that is valued to ₦2.184 trillion per annum, because of illegal bunkering of crude oil. There is poverty in the environment of Niger Delta, high growth of criminal activities with acquiring of weapons, and increase in dropouts from schools, especially students and pupils from secondary and primary school. Possible solutions have been suggested to the issue of crude oil being illegally bunkered. Therefore, each person should work together with government authorities and the operating companies that is responsible for petroleum products in Nigeria in controlling it. Stealing is bad, and let it stop.