The limits of the tort of negligence in redressing oil spill damage in Nigeria

Abstract

There are many sources of environmental pollution. One thing that is however certain is that while the effect of some pollutants such as noise is localized and short lived, the effect of others from the oil industry are permanent and worldwide in distribution. The scope of oil pollution on the Nigerian environment spans almost the entire process of oil exploration and production. Oil and gas pollution is one of the most controversial and complicated sources of environmental pollution in our world today. The controversy does not arise as a result of any doubts regarding the polluting effects of petroleum activities, but because there is a socio- political polemics arising from balancing the need to put it on check and the likely result of the loss of income it generates to the producing countries. Compensation is usually paid to the victims of such pollution and for the restoration of the environment. The study appraises the efficacy or otherwise of the tort of negligence in redressing oil spill damage in Nigeria.

Key words: Tort of Negligence, Oil Spill, Damage, Limitations, Nigeria