The Niger delta development commission and its strategies for addressing environmental challenges to sustainable development in the Niger delta region
Keywords:
Climate Change, Environmental Degradation, Niger Delta Region, Pollution, Sustainable DevelopmentAbstract
This paper is an examination of the strategies adopted by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in ameliorating the impacts of environmental challenges on sustainable development in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. In the face of socio-political and economic complexity, the paper evaluated how well the NDDC has addressed environmental deterioration and promoted sustainable development in the Niger Delta. It examined how the commission's goals of mitigating the impacts of oil spills, gas flaring, deforestation, and biodiversity loss on the ecology of the oil producing areas. This paper utilized a qualitative approach and drew data from secondary sources including relevant texts, journal, reports, and periodicals. The paper explained the power dynamics affecting ecological governance in the Niger Delta using the theoretical framework of political ecology. Political ecology looks at the connections between environmental, political, and economic concerns, it stresses how institutions, power relationships, and social structures affect how resources are distributed and how environmental concerns are shaped. In its analysis, the paper showed that although the NDDC had started several projects, such as programs for afforestation, pollution control, and coastline protection, a lack of inter-agency coordination, insufficient stakeholder participation, and financial mismanagement frequently hindered these efforts. The paper concluded that structural changes were required for the NDDC to successfully carry out its mandate. In addition to highlighting the need for alternative livelihood programs to lessen local reliance on oil-related activities. In its recommendations, the paper emphasised the need to enhance inter-agency collaboration, enforcing environmental regulations, ensuring transparency in project execution, and adopting community-based sustainability initiatives.
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