A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE
FACULTY OF LAW
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF
BACHELOR OF LAW’S DEGREE L.L.B.
Abstract
It is no doubt that oil industry is the biggest
resource manager in the anal of Nigeria economy. It is true that the oil
industry is one of the international industries where different countries of
the world relate communally. However, the thunderous benefit derivable from
this natural gift (oil) cannot at any time quieting the dangers inherent in its
manipulation and exploitation. “ perhaps, a threat to nature is a direct threat
to life” furthermore, the most outrageous damage caused to land, air and water
in the world over and Nigeria in particular
has been linked to oil pollution.
For instance, the cases of Niger Delta region
of Nigeria, where the inhabitants are mainly farmers, count their losses virtually
on daily bases. This monster, called oil pollution destroys oil fertility
thereby making the land unfit for crops production. Cause and foul the waters
to the detriment of marine lives. Consequently, when these disasters occur, it
is expected that the victims should adequately compensated.[1] But unfortunately the avalanche of petroleum laws and environmental laws in Nigeria,
seemed to be silent over what constitutes adequate compensation as contained in
the law. This research work therefore evaluates these situations and tried to
provide solutions to the question raised therein. Chapter one of the work
introduces the work generally. The legal framework for control of oil pollution
is tackled in chapter two while chapter three handles the concept of oil
pollution and its hazardous effect on the environment and chapter four evaluate
liability and compensation for oil pollution and finally chapter five settles
conclusion recommendation and bibliography.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title
page ……………………………………………………..……………i
Certification- ……………………………………………………..…… ii
Approval
page ……………………………………………………..…….iii
Dedication-……………………………………………………..………………iv
Acknowledgements……………………………………………………..………v
Table
of Content ……………………………………………………..……vi-viii
Table
of Cases ……………………………………………………..…
…ix -x
Table
of Statue …………………………………………………….xi-xii
List
of Abbreviation ……………………………………………………xiii-xiv
Abstract ………..……………………………………………………..…xv
CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background of the
Study……………………………………………………..… 1
1.2
Statement of
Problem…………………………………………………………….6
1.3
Objective of the
study……………………………………………………………8
1.4
Research
questions………………………………………………………………..9
1.5
Relevance of the
Study…………………………………………………………..10
1.6
Scope of the
study………………………………………………………………..11
1.7
Limitation of the
study………………………………………………………….12
1.8
Methodology for
the study……………………………………………………….13
CHAPTER TWO
THE CONCEPT OF OIL POLLUTION AND ITS
HAZARDOUS EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
2.1 Historical survey of Oil Exploration and
Exploration in Nigeria since 1956. ………………………………………………………..… ………………………………15
2.2 The impact of Oil and Industrial
Polluting on the World Environment and
Nigeria Environment in particular………………………………………….. 19
2.3 The Concept of Oil Pollution Damage ……………………………..………..22
2.3.1 Land Pollution……………………………………………………..…………..23
2.3.2 Air Pollution……………………………………………………..……………..24
2.3.3 Water Pollution……………………………………………………..………….25
2.4 Oil Spillage cum gas flaring …………………………………………………27
2.4.1 Oil Spillage……………………………………………………..……………27
2.4.2 Gas Flaring……………………………………………………..…………….28
2.5 The People of Niger Delta and
Environmental fouling………………………29
CHAPTER THREE
NIGERIA LEGAL REGIME ON CONTROL OF
PETROLEUM POLLUTION: A COMPARATIVE
ANALYSIS OF THE JURISDICTION
31
Local legislations and decrees on
control of oil pollution in Nigeria……. 32
3.2. International Convention on the
Establishment of an International
Convention on the Establishment of an International
Fund for Compensation
for Oil Pollution Damage 1971…………………………………………. ..40
3.2.1 International Convention for the prevention
of the sea by oil……….. 43
3.2
International Regulatory Bodies for Control and prevention of oil
pollution…………………………………………………………………44
3.3 Oil pollution laws of other jurisdiction ……………………………..…..46
3.4 The challenges of Court Jurisdiction on Oil
Pollution in Nigeria ……….……48
CHAPTER FOUR
AN EVALUATION OF LIABILITY AND
COMPENSATION FOR OIL POLLUTION DAMAGE IN NIGERIA
4.1. Liabilities for oil pollution…………………………………………………..…
51
4.1.2 Civil Liability for oil pollution
………………………………………………. ..52
4.2 Nature of Defences for oil pollution damage
……………………………….….54
4.3 The Victims legal rights over oil and
Industrial Pollution……………………61
4.4 Compliance to International Standard
Quantum of Compensation for Oil
Pollution damage ……………………………………………………..……. 65
4.5 Alternative Dispute Resolution (A.D.R.)
as an Alternate to litigation ……68
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Observations ……………………………………………………..……..72
5.2 Recommendations…………………………………………………….. 77
5.3 Conclusion……………………………………………………..………. 85
TABLES OF
CASES
Allar iron V. Shell BP [2012] unreported suit No. w/89/71190. Available at
http//:www.vathek.org/.enlr.2012.14.4348, accessed on 10th July,
2013………60
Amodu Tijani V. The Secretary of Southern Province [1921] available at
http//:www.Nigeria-Law.org/Amodu%2520Tijani Accessed on 4th July,
2013…62
Attorney General of Bendel State &
Ors V. Adeyan [1989] SC 131……………………63
Birmingham City Corporation V. West Midland Baptist (Trust)
Association Inc. [1969]3 All E.K. (pt. 172) page 185………………………………………………………61
Braithwaite V. Sky Bank Plc. [2012] CLR 12 (e) SC…………………………………32
Chief A. S. Amos & Ors V. Shell BP D.C.N Ltd [1977]6 SC (Pt.
109) 114………53,72
Chief Otoko V. S.P.D.C (Nig) Ltd [1990]6 NWLR (Pt. 159) 693………………….27
Douglas V. Shell BP & 5 Ors [1994]6 NWLR (Pt. 350) 256………………………...53
Friday Akpanu V. Shall [2013] Published on
http/./www. recht speak . nl under no
LDN BM 1469 visited on 14/12/2012.
……………………………………………..4, 55
Hallelujah Bukuma Fishers Development
Co. (Nig) Ltd V. SPDC (Nig) Ltd
[2002]4 NWLR (Pt. 758) 505……………………………………………………………..64
Lewis V. Bankole [1909]1 NLR, 81…………………………………………………..16
Machine Umudje V. Shell BP D. C. (Nig) Ltd [1975]11 SC (Pt. 155) 160 &167…………………………………………………………….21,23,24,27,73,75
Mardraj V. Texaco Trinidad Inc. [1969]15 West Indian Reports (WIR) 251……….76
National Oil Spill V. PPMC [2012] unreported suit No. FHC/ASB/18/105/10……23
Niger Delta Farmers & Ors V. Shell BP [2013] available at
www.sahareporters.com>Home>News & Reports, accessed on 14/07/2013,…3,
21, 44
Odim & Ors V. SPDC (Nig) Ltd [1974]2 R.S.L.R (pt. 93) page 109……………….59,69
Onyori & Ors V. S.P.D.C (Nig) Ltd & Ors [1982] unreported suit No.
FCA/B/1/81 of 7th Dec. 1982…………………………………………………………………………27
Ports & Cargo Handling Services Co.
Ltd & Ors V. Migfo (Nig Ltd &
Ano [2009]11..70
NWLR CA/L/214m/07.
Raithwaite V Skye Bank Plc
[ 2012] CLR 12 (e)
(sc)…………………………………49
Re oil spill [2012] unreported suit No.
10.02179/WL6652608/2012 C.E.D.La. Dec. 21st,
2012. Available at
http/./www.blog.Thomsoreuters.com/indes.php/j accessed on
07/07/2013……………………………………………………………………………..67
Ryland V. Fletcher [1866] L.R.I Exch. 265………………………………….…21, 49, 52
S.L.B Consortium v V. NNPC [2011]9 NWLR (pt 1252) page 317 SC……………..49
S.P.D.C
V. Isaih [1997]6 NWLR (Pt.
508) 236…………………………………48,49
S.P.D.C V. Tiebovii [ 1982]
unreported suit No: FCA /B/1/8 of 7/12/82 ……….26
San Ikpede V. SPDC (Nig) Ltd [1973] M.W.S.J. (Pt. 61) 88 ………………26,52,56,76
Seismograph Services (Nig) ltd V. Esis Akororo [1974]6 SC 124…………………….31
Williams V. Kamon [1968]1 All NLR (Pt 399)406 ………………………………….60
TABLE OF
STATUTE
American Oil Pollution Act (O.P.A)……………………..46, 47
Association Gas Re-injection Act Cap. A25, Laws of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria
(L.F.N),………………………………………………………29,36,47
Constitution (Suspension and Modification), Decree…………..46
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999
(as amended)……48, 49, 62,73
Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38 L.F.N., 2010……………………………..25,
54, 62, 63
Evidence Act, 2010. Cap. E 14 LFN 2010 …………………………..62,
64
Federal Environmental Protection Act (FEPA) Cap. F10
L.F.N, 2010. ……8, 39,53,55, 72,75
Land use Act, 1978. Cap. L5 LFN 2010……………………………..63
Oil in Navigable Waters Act Cap 06 L.F.N, 2010…………………..5,
27,32,54,
Oil Pipeline Act Cap. 145, L.F.N……………………………………..38,55,56,57
Petroleum (Drilling & Production) Regulation
1969…………………… 1,2
Petroleum Act Cap. P10 L.F.N……………………………………………51,55,60
Petroleum profit Tax Act Cap. 354 L.F.N……………………………………..17
INTERNATIONAL
CONVENTIONS
Conference of the Committee Maritime International
(C.M.I 1994. ……………..64, 65
International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from ship (MARPO 1973. …46,
International Convention for the Prevention of the Sea
by oil. ………………………...43
International Convention on Oil Pollution
preparedness, Response and Co-operation
(I.C.O.P.P.R.C 1990……………………………………………………………45, 67,73
International Convention on the Establishment of an
International Fund for Compensation for oil Pollution Damage 1971…………………………………40
LIST
OF ABBREVIATION
FEPA
Federal Environmental protection Agency -8,
39,55,68,72,75
LFN Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria –25,32,36,38,39,51,56,
59, 60, 62.
IRBCPOP International
Regulatory Bodies for Control and Prevention
of Oil Pollution Act -40.
CWA
Clean Water Act- 47
SPDC
Shell Petroleum Development Company -24, 26, 27, 48, 49,
64, 76.
IMB International
Marketing Board
NNPC
Nigeria National
Petroleum Commission -18, 49, 79,83
OPEC
Organization of Petroleum
Exporting Countries – 17,
PSC Production Sharing Contract -18
PPMC Pipe
lines and production marketing Company -23
MOSOP
Movement for the
Survival of Ogony people -30
CNA
Clean Nigeria
Association -31
MWSJ
Midd Western States
Judgments -26 , 52, 56, 76
JSC
Justice
of the Supreme Court -64
ADR
A Hernative
Disput Resolution – 65, 68 69, 70, 71, 76, 83, 84,
86.
UN
United Nation
– 65
CMI
Committee of
Maritime International -66
US
United State
– 18
CAJ
Appeal Court
Justice
WWW
World Wide Web -3, 18, 19, 23, 29, 30, 60, 62, 65, 73, 74.
NOSDRA
National Oil Spill
Detection Response Agency -80
EIA
Environmental
Impact Assessment -83
NWLR
Nigeria Weekly Law
Report – 16, 27, 31, 48, 49, 53, 70.
FWLR Federal Weekly Law Report
FRN
Federal
Republic of Nigeria -62
SC Supreme Court
-21, 53, 64, 75
JSC Justice of the
Supreme Court
WIR
West Indian
Report -76
Internal
Maritime Organization 45, 73
[1]
Section 11 (5) of the oil pipeline Act, Cap 145, law of the Federation of
Nigeria 2010.