The Niger Delta Region of Nigeria has played a pivotal role in the economic and political evolution of Nigeria since its independence. It’s difficult to imagine what kind of Nigeria there would be without the discovery of crude oil at Oloibiri in 1956 in the area now called Bayelsa state.
Conversely, the ocean of the world is the very generous host of humankind, the many species that inhabit it and our continuing collective existence is at its mercy. Until now, with human limited knowledge of this dependence, the reckless emissions of Co2, deposition of the nondegradable quantity of chemical, plastic and other substances appeared cost-free but not anymore. Various studies have now shown the human and economic cost of this wanton destruction of the unique ecosystem would be too high for this and future generations. The ocean as the one continuously connected ecosystem is known to mankind traverse an eclectic assortment of ecosystem types
A basic understanding of the history of the earth’s formation might be essential for an appreciation of how we inherited a surface that is not flat nor friendly, an undulating surface with gorges, valleys, hills, lakes, many rivers, and tributaries.
One of the most fundamentally important questions to all discerning Nigerians should be – what can be done to ensure the quality of life for future generations will be better than the present?
Secondly, where would the Nigerian economy be if for over two decades now, there had been at least nine “Apapa” full capacity ports along the Nigeria Atlantic Coast?
Officially, according to the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria has six seaports: Apapa, Tin Can, Onne, Port Harcourt, Warri, Calabar. These are in four states out of possible nine coastal states. In a coastal stretch of about 850 kilometers, there are only four Seaport states with the only two ports in Lagos operating at anything close to full capacity with a spillover that has become the greatest logistical conundrum to the residents, Federal and Lagos State Government. The problem is so acute that in the last few years, the most important roads in the city of Lagos have become parking lots for Haulage vehicles waiting to load goods meant for other parts of the country that could or should have their own ports.