Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography
Open Access

Abstract

The ideal of sustainability is a universal notion that has come in several pack ages such as: Reports (Brundtland Commission Report of 1987), conferences (such as the Rio de Janerio Earth Summit of 1992 and 2012), etc. Hence, its applicability is not restricted to a jurisdiction but made manifest in several domestic laws and regional regulations, irrespective of the level of development of such region. This is because once there is an action that can cause environmental risk or deprive the preservation of resources for future generations, then the sermon of sustainability becomes a necessity. It even becomes more necessary for countries or regions that produce oil and gas because of the nature of risks associated with the exploration and production of oil and gas. The passive attitude towards issues of sustainability by some companies (especially in the upstream oil and gas sector) that reside and operate in Nigeria shows a clear disregard of the tenets of sustainability. There are several reports (as shall be explored in the work), on severe pollution from the upstream oil and gas sector by some multi-national companies (MNCs) operating in Nigeria. Interestingly, some of these MNCs are reputable for their sustainability strides in countries such as United States of America (USA). This is majorly because environmental offences are expensive in a country like USA (equally an oil producing state). A manifest reaction is the USA’s reaction to the BP Macondo spill. This raises the question as to the extent of the applicability of environmental rules against acts that can be deemed as a manifest disregard of sustainable ideals by oil MNCs in Nigeria, in contrast to the USA. Even more, it raises the issue as to the strictness of existing laws in sanctioning severe acts of pollution in Nigeria.

Biography

Email: c.i.chuks-ezike@rgu.ac.uk