THE ROLE OF THE NATIONAL OIL SPILL DETECTION AND RESPONSE AGENCY ON MARINE POLLUTION IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECT

Abstract

Healthy and clean marine environment is important for society since it provides services and support a diverse range of sea life that is important for global biodiversity. Marine environment provides valuable benefits for human activities, including protein sources and economic activity through fisheries, aquaculture and navigation. However, oil spillages that produce pollution have affected and still affecting the Nigerian marine environment. The Nigerian government has made several efforts to control ship-source marine pollution but still the menace persists. Therefore, the paper entitled, 'The Role of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency on Marine Pollution in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects' aimed to examine the role of the major marine pollution control agency (particularly, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency) in controlling marine pollution by oil spills in Nigeria with a view to appraising the effectiveness or otherwise of the agency. To achieve the aim of the paper, the doctrinal method of research which involves the use of textbooks, journals, relevant laws and other relevant documents was adopted. In the course of the research, it was found that one major challenge facing the NOSDRAis lack of adequate funding to enable it acquire modern equipment/facilities and to embark on regular training of its personnel. Therefore, it was recommended that the government should increase its budgetary allocations to the environmental sector to enable NOSDRA acquire modern equipment and training of its personnel. Alternatively, there should be a special percentage for NOSDRAfrom the annual budget of Nigeria.