Exploring the Relationship Between Artisanal Crude Oil Refining; Soot Production and the Rising Prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. An Urgent Call to Action

Abstract

Nigeria produces over two million barrels of crude oil daily, almost all of this crude oil is found in the Niger delta region of the country. Despite the huge revenue coming from crude oil to Nigeria, the Niger delta region is one of the least developed world-wide its and indigenes are among the poorest in Nigeria and in Africa. This is mainly because of loss of livelihood following crude oil spillage which pollutes both land used for farming and rivers used for fishing. This loss of livelihood coupled with neglect and underdevelopment of the Niger delta has provided the incentives for artisanal refining which is also known as illegal refining. The air is polluted from black soot which is formed from the artisanal refining of crude oil which involves primitive methods of refining crude. This has led to the development of respiratory tract illnesses, cancers and other health conditions in individuals living in the Niger delta region of Nigeria. There are currently a number of government interventions put in place to tackle the environmental degradation in the Niger-delta. Also a number of suggestions have been made to help mitigate the soot menace.