Access to Justice for Victims of Oil Pollution in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: Exploring Contemporary Judicial Trends and Implications for Sustainable Development

Abstract

The rich natural environment of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria has been devastated by oil pollution arising from the activities of oil companies operating within the region. This is promoted or aided mostly by the ineffective implementation and enforcement of environmental regulations in Nigeria, a state of affairs that oil companies have taken advantage of in focusing exclusively on profits while disregarding the impacts of their activities on the fragile ecosystem of the Niger Delta region. The inability of the relevant authorities to effectively implement and enforce compliance with environmental regulations should necessitate the intervention of private citizens and non-governmental organizations in seeking the enforcement of environmental regulations in order to protect human health and well-being from the adverse impacts of environmental pollution. However, this is subject to their ability to have access to court for judicial redress. This article explores the recent judicial trend in enhancing access to justice for victims of oil pollution and the implication for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Keywords: oil pollution, human rights, right to a healthy environment, public interest litigation, Niger Delta

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/134-01

Publication date:July 31^st 2023