Oil Spillage and Internal Displacement in the Niger Delta

The Niger Delta is a region endowed with natural resources and is a location of massive oil deposits which have been extracted for years by the government of Nigeria in collaboration with International Oil Corporations (IOCs). The exploration of crude oil and its transportation is said to present social problems, leading to environmental degradation, the violation of human rights and internal displacement of the locals as their farm lands, water ways and houses are affected by oil spillage. Internal displacement resulting from the exploration and drilling activities of the IOCs operating in the Niger Delta has become an issue of topical concern, due to the human tragedy, insecurity and conflict associated with it. The theme that dominates discussions on internal displacement at global and national levels is oil spillage-induced displacements leading to conflicts and massive migration to the urban areas. The objective of this paper is to bring into focus, the linkages and challenges between oil spillage during crude oil exploration and transportation; and internal displacements in the Niger Delta. The framework of analysis sees displacement as a definite social condition that diminishes individuals and group capacity to pursue interests that may or may not involve relocation. The study concludes that oil spillages have diminished the productivity of Oil Producing Communities, resulting to occupational and income losses that set in both voluntary and involuntary migration.