Oil spillage and environmental degradation an indictment to human right and environmental law
Table Of Contents
- <p> </p><p>Associated Gas Re-injection Act, Cap 26, LFN 1990 40, 48, 65, 67</p><p>Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
- 1999. 38, 39, 47, 55-60, 62-65, 104</p><p>Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by<br>Dumping of waste and other matters 1992 73, 86</p><p>U.N. Convention on the High Sea, 1958 74, 86</p><p>Environmental Impact Assessment Act, 1992 40, 43-45,48, 69-72</p><p>European Environmental Agency (EEA), 1994 97,98</p><p>Federal Water Pollution Control Act 1972, U.S.A. 79</p><p>Harmful Waste (Special Criminal Provisions) Act<br>Cap 165, LFN, 1990 40, 41, 48, 68</p><p>International Convention for the Prevention of<br>Pollution of the Sea by Oil 1954 (as amended in<br>1962 &
- 1969. 74, 87</p><p>Kyoto Protocol, 1997 89, 93</p><p>Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the<br>Ozone Layer,
- 1992. 75, 88</p><p>National Environmental Standards and Regulations<br>Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Act 2007 35, 36, 48, 49,<br>51,52,65,66,101,103</p><p>National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) 1969 U.S.A. 80</p><p>Oil in Navigable Water Act Cap 337, LFN 1990 40, 48, 65, 74</p><p>Human Environmental Conference Stockholm 78, 85, 95</p><p>U.K. Environmental Protection Act 81, 82</p><p>Vienna Convention for the Protection of the<br>Ozone Layer,
- 1985. 75, 88</p><p><strong>TABLE OF CASES</strong></p><p>Adisa v. Oyinlola (2002) 10 WRN 125 – – 38</p><p>Amos v. Shell BP Petroleum Development Co.<br>of Nigeria & Anor. – – – 50</p><p>Archbishop Olubunmi Okogie and<br>others v. A.G. Lagos State. – – – 47</p><p>Enahoro and ors. V. Abacha and ors. (1998) 1<br>HRL RA 424 – – – – 33, 34</p><p>Donoghue v. Stevenson (1932) A.C. 562 – – 82</p><p>Francis Coralie v. Union Territory of Delhi<br>Air 1981 SC
- 846. – – – 107</p><p>Ransome Kuti and Ors. v. A.G. of the Federation<br>and Ors. (1985) 2 NWLR, 16, 211 at 230 – – 32</p><p>Shanti Star Builders v. Nafyan Whimalal Totame<br>& ors. (1990) (1) S.C. 106 Appeal No. 2598 of 1989 – 10</p><p><strong>ABBREVIATIONS</strong></p><p>AC Appeal Cases<br>ALL ER All England Reports<br>ALL NLR All Nigeria Law Reports<br>CCHCJ Cyclostyled copies of High Court Judgment<br>CLR Commonwealth Law Reports<br>COX Cox’s Equity.<br>Cr APP. R Criminal Appeal Reports<br>East, P.L.C. East Term’s Reports, Privy Council<br>ECSLR East Central State Law Reports<br>ERNLR East Region of Nigeria Reports<br>FNR Federation of Nigeria Reports<br>FSC Federal Supreme Court<br>K.B. King’s Bench<br>L.L.R. Lagos Law Reports<br>L.R.N. Law Reports of Nigeria<br>LR; PC Law Reports, Privy Council Appeals<br>MJSC Monthly Judgment of the Supreme Court of<br>Nigeria.</p><p>MNLR Mid-Western Nigeria Law Reports<br>NCLR Nigeria Constitutional Law Reports<br>NCR Nigeria Criminal Reports<br>NLR Nigeria Law Reports<br>NMLR Nigeria Monthly Law Reports<br>NWLR Nigeria Weekly Law Reports<br>Q.B. Queens Bench<br>QBD Queens Bench Division<br>SC Supreme Court<br>SCNJ Supreme Court of Nigeria Judgments<br>SCNLR Supreme Court of Nigeria Law Reports<br>TLR Times Law Report<br>VICT LR Victoria Law Reports<br>WACA West African Court of Appeal<br>WLR Weekly Law Reports<br>WLRN Weekly Law Report of Nigeria<br>WN Weekly Notes<br>WNLR Western Nigerian Law Reports<br>WRNLR Western Region of Nigeria Law Reports</p> <br><p></p>
Project Abstract
Oil spillage poses a significant threat to the environment and human rights, highlighting the intersection of environmental law and human rights law. The consequences of oil spillage are far-reaching and devastating, leading to environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and adverse health effects on nearby communities. This research explores the impact of oil spillage on the environment and human rights, focusing on the legal frameworks that should protect against such incidents. By examining case studies of oil spillage incidents around the world, the research demonstrates the failures in regulatory mechanisms and enforcement of environmental laws. The negligence of oil companies in preventing and adequately responding to oil spillage further exacerbates the environmental degradation and violates the human rights of affected communities. This research aims to analyze the legal responsibilities of both states and corporations in preventing and addressing oil spillage incidents. Environmental law sets the standards for environmental protection, outlining the obligations of states to safeguard the environment for present and future generations. However, the inadequacy of these laws in holding corporations accountable for their actions has led to a culture of impunity where environmental degradation continues unchecked. Human rights law complements environmental law by recognizing the right to a clean and healthy environment as a fundamental human right. The failure to prevent oil spillage and its consequences infringes upon this right, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and indigenous populations. Through a comparative analysis of international environmental and human rights treaties, this research identifies gaps in the legal frameworks that hinder effective protection against oil spillage. It proposes recommendations for strengthening regulations, improving oversight mechanisms, and enhancing corporate accountability to prevent future oil spillage incidents and mitigate their impact on the environment and human rights. In conclusion, oil spillage represents a critical challenge to both environmental law and human rights law, underscoring the need for a comprehensive and integrated approach to address this issue. By recognizing the interconnectedness of environmental degradation and human rights violations, policymakers, legal practitioners, and stakeholders can work together to develop strategies that prioritize the protection of the environment and the rights of affected communities.
Project Overview