THE ERRANT CHILD: ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY OF PARENT COMPANIES FOR THE INFRACTIONS OF THEIR SUBSIDIARIES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The oil industry is integral to the Nigerian economy as it is responsible for most of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. The Nigerian government has therefore for several decades provided protection for the oil industry due to its importance to the economy and this has resulted in a myriad of legal and regulatory infractions by operators during the exploration and production processes in the industry. Despite the fact that Nigeria is oil rich, the Niger Delta region of the country which is chiefly the area from which oil is derived, is home to some of the poorest communities and people in the country and over the years they have persistently complained about oil spills, pollution, gas flaring and having a lower quality of life. However, accessing justice has proven to be a mirage to many who have been negatively impacted by the operations of the oil industry. This paper canvasses options for aggrieved individuals and bodies seeking justice in other jurisdictions via the parent companies of multinational companies operating in the Nigerian oil industry.