Assessment of The Spatial Compliance and Violation of Environmental Laws in The Extraction and Exploitation of Crude Oil Resources in The South-South Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria

This study assessed the spatial compliance and violation of environmental laws in the extraction and exploitation of crude oil resources in the south-south region of Nigeria. Cunningham and Cunningham (2006) defined environmental laws as official rules, decisions and actions concerning environmental quality, natural resources and ecological sustainability. Data for this study were collected from primary and secondary sources, though the administration of one thousand eight hundred (1800) questionnaires and existing records of violation of environmental laws in the exploitation and exploration of crude oil activities in the area. Results from this study revealed that, in the exploitation and exploration of crude oil activities in the study area, (26.3%) of the respondents strongly agreed that pollution of streams, river and other water bodies in their area emanates from crude oil explosion, vandalization and spillage, (14.1%) also agreed, (30.4%) strongly disagreed, and (29.2%) of the respondents disagreed. The study therefore recommends that, in our pursuit of environmental protection and compliance of environmental laws, we must strive towards achieving a balance in the benefits we derive from activities that causes environmental pollution and the resultant harm.