Governance of Oil and Gas Sector in Nigeria: Implications for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in the Niger Delta Region

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Governance of Oil and Gas Sector in Nigeria: Implications for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in the Niger Delta Region Governance of Oil and Gas Sector in Nigeria: Implications for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in the Niger Delta Region A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Felix Olufemi Ogele Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape December 2016 i Dedication To the Almighty God, the only Impartial Potentiate that commenced, sponsored, supported, and perfected everything regarding the PhD programme. He alone is the Unchangeable Changer that transforms nobody to somebody. To my wife, My Only Queen (MOQ) as she is fondly called, Oluwayinka that gave me the best children in the whole world in the persons of Yomadeoluwa, Yomolaoluwa and Yosoreoluwa that came shortly after the commencement of this research. To the memory of my late father, Pa Shadrach Elaboma Ogele and my beloved mother, Mrs. Marian Abiodun Ogele for given me the privilege to discover the mysteries of books and taught me to work while it is day, for night comes when no man can work. To the unprotected people in the coastal communities of the Niger Delta Region who for no cause of their own continue to suffer and bear the impacts of oil and gas activities in Nigeria. ii Abstract Given the persistence of environmental problems that characterise the oil producing communities (OPC) of Nigeria, often referred to as the Niger Delta region (NDR), this thesis examines the implication of the governance of oil and gas sector on the biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) in the region. The NDR is a coastal area that is most endowed in terms of BES and hosts exploration and production of oil and gas activities. However, the continued exploration and production of oil and gas is having deleterious impacts on BES which transcends government and oil and gas companies’ efforts to address them. This state of affair has been an issue of great concern nationally, calls therefore for the examination of the governance of the oil and gas sector with regards to conservation of BES. Informed by a review of academic literature, this thesis advances an interactive governance framework that promotes recognition and involvement of the various relevant actors/stakeholders, including local citizens in the governance of the sector. The study was conducted in two OPC in Nigeria and primary data was collected through a total of four focus group discussions, one workshop and 21 in-depth interviews, including at least one representative each from 11 government agencies, one representative each from three environmental NGOs, one representative each from both a Community-based Organisation and Hybrid organisation. Analysis of the data revealed that the governance of oil and gas sector has contributed to BES loss and degradation, which has ultimately exacerbated the conditions of living of the coastal communities. The empirical evidence equally suggests that BES degradation persists, because of bad leadership, corruption and the locals in the OPC whose values, norms and principles are supposed to be considered in policies and decision-making are not fully involved in the governance process. Additionally, the governing actors also lack the requisite capacity to perform. The study developed a schematic framework and concluded that interactive governance framework is a good antidote to illuminate the governance challenges as well as the various environmental problems including the degradation of BES that characterised the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. iii Acknowledgements I could not have thought of commencing this study without the assurance that I received from the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ayodeji Titus which was backed up with financial assistance, having deferred the programme thrice. I am indeed grateful to the family for the payments of the tuition fees for the three years and assistance during the fieldwork. You are indeed the God-sent and I say God will bless and raise help for you when you least expected. I was most privileged to have the fusion of Dr. Paola Gazzola and Professor Geoff Vigar as my supervisors. I am grateful for the high quality supervision I received from them as evident in their guidance; support, thought-provoking questions and constructive feedback which helped refine my ideas at the disparate stages of the work. The objective reviews and feedback I received from Dr. Suzanne Speak and Dr. Tim Townsend at every Annual Panel that assisted to shape the work better cannot but be mentioned. I also want to extend my unreserved appreciation to the Postgraduate Research Secretary, Mrs. Marian Kyte for her support to me and all PhD research students, right from the first day of the commencement of the programme. I want to also register my appreciation to Mr. and Dr. (Mrs.) Emmanuel Eshiet; Chief and Mrs. Olusola Ebiseni for their prayers, words of encouragement and financial assistance. I am most grateful to Dr. Olubusola Eshiet (Aunty) for her time in reading part of the work. I would like to thank all the participants in this research that spared me part of their precious time during in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, without them this work would not have been possible. My family played a pivotal role in the completion of this study. To my father and mother, Late (Mr.) Shadrach Elaboma Ogele and Mrs. Marian Abiodun Ogele, I say Aghan se o for laying the foundation on which this feat was predicated and for given me the opportunity to ponder over the wonders of books. With appreciation, I acknowledge the support, prayers, encouragement and financial support from my siblings, Mr. and Mrs. Oluwole Faboye; Mr. and Mrs. Adesola Ogele; Pastor and Mrs Isaac Babalola; Pastor and Mrs Dayo Haastrup; Pastor and Mrs. Abiodun, thank you all for being there for me. I cannot but mention my wife’s family, Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer Fasuyi, Dr. and Pastor (Mrs) Olakunle Famakinwa; Mr. and Mrs. Chijioke Iyentuge; Mr. and Mrs. Femi Fasuyi; Mr. and Mrs. Gbenga Fasuyi; Seyi Fasuyi for their love, support, prayers and financial assistance. A debt of gratitude is also owed to all my friends, colleagues and church members in the UK and Nigeria for all the support and kind words they have so generously given me over the years. Particularly worthy of mention is the support I have and continue to receive from my spiritual iv fathers and colleagues in the persons of Pastors Akinwale Akinyanmi, Edmund Akintunde, Adebiyi, Ayibiowu, Francis Adebayo, Vincent Dina and Ayo Akin, all of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Nigeria and UK. I also appreciate the families of Dr. Alaba Olaoluwakotansibe Agbatogun, Dr. Michael Kehinde, Pastors Joseph Akinyemi, and Mr. Olanrewaju Ilo for making Newcastle liveable and memorable through their love and relationships. I also want to extend my unreserved appreciation to the Postgraduate Research Student community for providing me with the opportunity to interact with a student body that is truly global. Particularly, I thank Mrs. Oluwatoyin Akin, Mrs. Maimuna Saleh-Bala, Dr. Oluwafemi Olajide, Dr. Mohammed Alhaji Mohammed, Mr. Nor Chiahemba, and Miss. Najla Mansour amongst others for their scholarly association during the period of this research. I must thank the management of Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) for the rare privilege given to me as a pioneer staff to be granted study leave with pay and for graciously extending the leave when it became apparent that I could not finish within the time frame due to paucity of fund. I am highly indebted to Engr. O. A. Yusuf who was my director for believing in me and for recommending my study leave application for approval, without him my dream for pursuing a PhD programme would have possibly been dashed. My appreciation equally goes to all my colleagues in OSOPADEC for their support and encouragement during the course of the study. Finally, my most sincere appreciation goes to my wife (MOQ) and the mother of my children, Yomadeoluwa, Yomolaoluwa and Yosoreoluwa, Mrs. Anita Oluwayinka Felix-Ogele, without whom it would have been impossible for me to complete this study as a self-sponsored student. She not only supported the programme by working round the clock for the family upkeep and payment of bills, but she was always available to take care of the home and children when I was not available. MOQ, my best friend and lover; thank you very much, God will protect and cause you to reap the fruit of your labour in Jesus name. Amen. v List of Tables Table 1.1: Sub-Saharan Africa Oil Production by Country (‘000b/d) ..................................................... 3 Table 1.2: Extent of gas flaring in SSA countries (1995–2010) ............................................................ 14 Table 1.3: Studies that have mapped ES in Africa and their main theme ............................................. 22 Table 2.1: Drivers of degradation and loss of coastal and marine habitats and impacts on ES and human-wellbeing ................................................................................................................................... 45 Table 3.1: Framework for analysing oil and gas sector governance with regards conservation of BES ............................................................................................................................................................... 92 Table 4.1: Summary of Actors interviewed and information they provided ....................................... 115 Table 4.2: Different types of document reviewed and sources ..........................................................
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