摘要
Nigeria is richly endowed with crude oil and natural gas deposits, which are the country＇s main source of energy and foreign exchange earnings. These deposits are concentrated at the Niger Delta region which has attracted the presence of multinational oil/gas companies to the area. This paper analyses the impact of oil and gas development on the rich biological diversity of the region and its consequences on the development of the region and the nation at large. The paper further reviews the abject poverty of the oil/gas producing communities whose source of livelihoods, fisheries resources, agricultural soils/farmlands, forests, clean water, fresh air and housing are being destroyed due to poor energy resource management. The magnitude of destruction and frustration is reflected in unending conflict and insecurity in the region leading to many shut-in productions which pose a governance challenge as the country＇s economy and development is heavily dependent on oil and gas production.
