The Political Ecology of Oil Pipeline Vandalism in Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue V, May 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

The Political Ecology of Oil Pipeline Vandalism in Nigeria

Lanre Olu-Adeyemi
Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo state, Nigeria

Abstract: – This paper examines the effect of oil pipeline vandalism on the Nigerian economic, social and environmental space. It seeks to establish the implications of oil pipeline vandalism for Nigeria especially as it relates to dwindling fortunes for the livelihood of the people of Niger Delta and the national economy cum security. This paper utilized secondary (including historical) sources of data to show the threat of Oil Pipeline Vandalism as exemplified in loss of lives, economic losses, environmental degradation, and pipeline explosions. The paper submits that oil pipeline vandalism portends serious environmental crime with dire consequences for Nigeria.

Keywords: Corruption, Militancy, National Security, Pipeline vandalism.

I. INTRODUCTION

The Nigerian economy is heavily dependent on the oil sector which, according to the International Monetary Fund accounts for over 95 percent of export earnings and about 83 percent of government revenues (EIA, 2011). The oil industry is primarily located in the Niger Delta where it has been a source of conflict as local groups seeking a share of the oil wealth often attack the oil infrastructure. Over the years, the Nigerian petroleum industry has been confronted by the challenge of oil pipeline vandalism. Oil Pipeline Vandalism also known in Nigeria as oil bunkering which refers to the willful or deliberate act of drilling into the pipelines with the intent to steal crude oil and associated petroleum products.

In Nigeria, petroleum and associated products are transported through extensive network of pipelines that run across different locations from remote to populated areas. Pipeline is one of the effective means of uninterrupted and steady supply of crude oil. This medium of transporting crude oil has existed for a long period of time across the globe due to its considered ability to help reduce accident, oil spill and environmental pollution. The increase in oil pipelines vandalism in Nigeria is traceable to the pervasive poverty in the Niger Delta, and Nigeria at large, as well as corruption and sabotage within the oil sector. Frightening unemployment among the youths, the international dimension whereby some nationals collude with foreigners to steal crude oil in the country for pecuniary gains and the establishment of illegal refineries in some parts of the Niger Delta also encourages pipeline vandalism.

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