Different factors contribute to the existing situation of Niger Delta. The literature identifies gaps pertaining to the deficits and implementation of oil related legislation and policies, however limited information exists on the role of institutions that govern and enforce these laws. It is also instructive to understand the role of civil society in achieving compliance with oil related legislation. Despite existing environmental oil-related policies, degradation, poverty and underdevelopment of the region frequently continue to be a critical feature of oil operations particularly in the Niger Delta (Ibaba, 2012, Watts, 2004, Allen, 2006). The current indigent state of the environment and its impact on the indigenous people living in the Niger delta is a source of both public concern and political debate, demanding new research to shed light on causes, impact, current arrangements and potential future responses. A thorough understanding of institutions, institutional arrangements, oil companies, environmental policies and practices set to govern oil pollution is required. In a bid to ensure that natural resources enhance economic development and facilitate environmental sustainability, states have an obligation to design and implement institutional frameworks to streamline compliance and ensure sustainability (Mehlum et al., 2006, Edo, 2012). This scenario is not widespread in Africa despite its abundance in natural resources. In the oil regions of the African continent, this obligation is by no means commensurate with the scale of the resource extraction impact.
2.0 Institutional Arrangements
Institutional arrangement in the regulatory framework for preventing oil spills should also b defined in terms of a study that details out both impacts and risks exposed to the environment. The probability that oil spills will take place in the near future ought to be part and parcel of institutional arrangement. The Niger Delta region has indeed been suffering from oil handling facilities that spill oil in small volumes. However, lack of a proper institutional arrangement in place has made it cumbersome for the concerned authorities to estimate damage and possibly prevent it before it occurs. Large and more dangerous spills in the Niger Delta region are vivid indications that a lot needs to be done to control the mess.
Institutional arrangement can also be defined in terms of major and expedited response to pending oil spills that may be taking place. In addition, institutional arrangements should be able to define the small operational spills’ risks.
Effective legislation along the Niger Delta region is also part of the much-needed institutional arrangement. Other definitions of institutional arrangements include the capability of confronting oil spill emergency, and access to efficient equipment and planning to address any eventualities related to environmental degradation in the region. The theories discussed in this study relate to the idea of an implementation deficit because they all illustrate how poor regulatory measures have led to massive degradation of the environment. The theories will be used in the study to compare and contrast as well as highlight the best practices in the management of the environment using both the existing laws and newer legislations.
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