Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, Climate Change and the way Forward

The authors are Dr Etim U. U. Ituen, ASABE Member and Dr. A. Folarin Alonge, ASABE Member, Engineer are of the Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria. Corresponding author: A. Folarin Alonge, Dept. of Agricultural Engineering, University of Uyo, P.M.B 1017, Ilorin, Nigeria. Phone: 234-803-3603462; email: falonge6@ yahoo.com. For information about securing permission to reprint or reproduce a technical presentation, please contact ASABE at [email protected] or 269-429-0300 (2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659 USA).

An ASABE Conference Presentation Paper Number: BIO-098276

Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, Climate Change and the way Forward

Dr. Etim U. U. Ituen Dept of Agricultural and Food Engineering,

University of Uyo, P. M. B 1017, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria 520003

Dr. A. Folarin Alonge Dept of Agricultural and Food Engineering,

University of Uyo, P. M. B 1017, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria 520003

Written for presentation at the 2009 Bioenergy Engineering Conference

Sponsored by ASABE Hyatt Regency

Seattle, Washington October 11-14, 2009

Abstract. Definite environmental problems including climate change are visible since the inception of oil exploration in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria in the last 50 years. Incessant oil spill has damaged the ecosystem destroying plants on land and in water. The rich mangrove of the coast of the gulf of guinea is seriously depleted. Much of the land is left bare without plants thus leading to excess of carbon in the atmosphere. Gas flaring is not reduced till today. Trucks, many which are ill maintained and coming for oil business from all the land sends much emission into the air. The deforestation due to oil spill, gas flaring and emissions from vehicles, all contribute greatly to excess carbon. This causes overheating of the atmosphere and rise in temperature. Thus, there is excessive evaporation from the nearby ocean and water bodies and ultimately leading to very heavy rainfall and flooding. It is observed that the weather conditions including rainfall pattern has changed greatly in the last 20 years. Too much rainfall has caused serious soil erosion, leaching and poor soil fertility leading to poor agricultural productivity. These problems can be reduced by enforcing laws to control oil spill and gas flaring. Emissions can also be controlled by blending biodiesel with diesel fuel. Fortunately, a very effective biodiesel, the Dura palm oil biodiesel obtained from the Dura Oil palm has been found to cut down emissions of fuel pollutants such as CO by up to 60%

Keywords. Niger Delta, Pollution, climate, emissions, erosion, farming, flaring, gas, biodiesel.

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Introduction The Niger Delta Region of Nigeria is the Catchments of the river Niger as it enters the Atlantic Ocean in the gulf of guinea in a delta form. Other rivers such as Cross River, Qua Iboe river and Imo river to the east and Rivers Forcados the Ethiope to the west, which also empty into the gulf of guinea close to the river Niger, join to constitute the catchments. The region lies between latitudes 4o301 and 6o301 north of the equator. Thus the climate is equatorial with heavy rainfall almost throughout the year having a maximum output of 3785 mm at Brass near Port Harcourt (Nig, Met. 2007). The monthly mean temperatures are high, 26.67oC in March / April and 24.44oC in July/ August, giving a small annual range of 2.73oC. Also, the monthly mean relative humidity figures are high, often reaching 90%. The warm, wet south westerly winds blow onshore for most of the year, while the dust laden, warm-dry Northeasterly winds occasionally succeed to reach the coast for very short periods of the year. The vegetation is mangroves and tropical rainforest.

The major occupations of the people are fishing and farming. They engage extensively in artesenal fishing in the creeks and in the gulf of guinea, which is the richest fishing ground on the west coast of Africa. This rich fishing ground attracts nationals from neighbouring West African countries such as Benin, Togo, Ghana and Corte de Voire to come down and settle to fish. Thus the handing over of Bakassi peninsula by Nigeria to the Republic of Cameroons affected these nationals besides Nigerians because Bakassi is the most important fishing settlement in the gulf of Guinea.

The Niger Delta region is rich in petroleum resources, the oil and gas and these accounts for over 90 percent of Nigeria's annual revenue. It is therefore a strategic area as far as Nigeria's economy is concerned. However, because of the exploitation of these resources, the environment is severely abused. The incessant oil spill has impacted negatively on the ecology of the region. The lands are contaminated. The vegetation including crops in many areas is destroyed and the land left bare. Water bodies including streams, rivers and the Atlantic ocean coasts are polluted and contaminated. Aquatic plants and animals are destroyed. Gas is flared extensively in many of the oil fields and this has contributed seriously to environmental pollution. The presence of a large number of heavy vehicles and machines because of the oil business also contributes to serious emissions which add to environmental pollution.

These problems of atmospheric pollution, deforestation due to oil spill, do certainly affect the climate of this region. Thus there are excessive rainfalls now and these lead to serious flooding and erosion. Gully erosion sites which had occurred in the last 10 years are seen in many villages. Farmlands are heavily leached or washed away and crops are not performing well again. There is hunger threat.

This work was to investigate the implications of oil explorations on the environment of the Niger Delta, especially with regard to climate change. The impacts of the climate change on the economy of the region were to be examined too. Finally, suggestions for solutions of the problems were to be reasoned. This paper reports the survey of the damages done by oil exploration and spill to the environment in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. It also presents the investigation of the effects of oil exploration on climate change, consequences on the economy of the area and suggested solutions for the problems.

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Procedure Many oil fields were visited, especially where there were oil spill cases recently. The extents of damages due to the oil spill were noted. Farm sites submerged by floods were verified. Gully erosion sites were visited in many communities and the extent of damages done by them assessed. Data of Agricultural production were assembled to compare the yield of some major crops over the years and to assess the effect of climate change on them in recent years.

Events observed to have led to climate change in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

(i) Oil Spill

Plate 1 shows a case of cocked oil well of more than three decades of which the valves failed and the oil spilled extensively and covered streams and farmlands. Crops and vegetation were destroyed. Water was contaminated and fish destroyed. These cases are prevalent across the entire Niger Delta Region. In many places such as Ogoniland in River State Kilometers of previously forested lands are left bare due to oil spill. There are similar places in Bayelsa, Delta and Abia States, to mention but a few. Even in the creeks and Islands, there is vast destruction of mangrove forests when major oil spills over the Atlantic casts creeks.

The implications of this extensive damage of vegetation (deforestation) is that there is excess f carbondoxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Excess Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere alters the

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percentage of reflected solar radiation of the earth and leads to higher atmospheric temperatures (Rao, 2004). Vegetation affects the seasonal changes in the soil surface temperature. Air temperature is higher in the bare soil than when there is vegetation. The vegetation (canopy) intercepts the solar radiation, absorbs and reflects it, and these activities take away part of the radiant energy (Walter, 1975). Forests create a living environment for many spices of birds and animals. Trees reduce the impact of rainfall and run off on soil

Gas flaring and Emissions The continuos flaring of gas in many oil fields has pushed mush of the hydrocarbon combustion products into the atmosphere. Emissions from vehicles and plants also constitute a major source of atmospheric pollution. Both emissions and gas flaring contribute immensely to the presence of carbon in the atmosphere and hence the raising of atmospheric temperature. The raised atmospheric temperature increases the evaporation from the water bodies (rivers and Ocean) which ultimately leads to heavy rainfall in the region.

Rainfall The climate of the Niger Delta Region just as the rest of the country is influenced by the movement of the rain bearing south westerly winds from the sea and the dry north-east trade winds from the Sahara. Records show that Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, is one of the settlements within the region, with reliable autographic records of rainfall for a long time (Udosen, 2008). The mean annual rainfall at Uyo from 1977 to 2006 was recorded in 2443.3mm. This is an indication of heavy rainfall. In the coastal areas of the Niger Delta, the rainfall is even higher than at Uyo.

Table 1 Annual Rainfall For Uyo For 20 Years

Year Total Annual Rainfall (mm) Year Total Annual Rainfall (mm)

1987 2251.4 mm 1997 2004.0 mm

1988 2115.0 mm 1998 2033.8 mm

1989 2588.0 mm 1999 2945.4 mm

1990 2032.8 mm 2000 1904.5 mm

1991 2246.7 mm 2001 2317.2 mm

1992 2256.8 mm 2002 2234.1 mm

1993 2233.1 mm 2003 2194.8 mm

1994 2668.7 mm 2004 2221.6 mm

1995 2144.0 mm 2005 3030.5 mm

1996 2146.0 mm 2006 3373.7 mm

Source: University of Uyo Meteorological Station, Nigeria

In recent years, there has been increased intensity of rainfall which may be Influenced by increased evaporation of water from the water bodies. This is observed on table 1 above. The last 3 years Show higher rainfall amounts. The heavy rainfall has led to flooding of the coastal

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and inland-lowland plains. A lot of farmlands have been submerged and crops destroyed. Sometimes roads and houses are washed away. Another devastating effect of the heavy rainfall is soil erosion which has washed away much of the top soil in the region and thus leading to reduced soil fertility. Apart from washing away of the tops soil, there is leaching of the soil nutrients Walter (1975) stated that in topical soils , severe leaching leads to lower soil pH and this makes the soil acidic and unfit for agriculture.

Many communities are plagued with gully erosion sites. Plates 2 to 4 below how some gully erosion sites in Akwa Ibom State. All the states in the Niger Delta have several of such erosion sites. Many lives and roperty have been lost in such sites.

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The Impact of Climate Change on the people and Economy of the Region (i) Hunger: There is hunger threat in the region. The oil spills have destroyed many farmlands and crops and have rendered the people hungry and poor. The fish in the water is depleted and scarce to come by. The rise in atmospheric temperature due to excess carbondioxide in the air has brought about low performance of crops especially grain crops such as maize and rice

The heavy rainfalls and the accompanying floods have submerged many farmlands and crops and rendered the people hungry and poor too. Agricultural lands are washed away by erosions and crops cannot perform optimally. There is serious leaching which also leads to lose of soil fertility. All these agents lead to scarcity of food and hunger threat.

Table 2: Yield (Tones/ hectare) of major food crops in Akwa Ibom State for 18 years

Crop 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

Cassava 7.35 7.51 7.83 8.42 9.26 6.34 6.62 7.14 8.36

Yam 8.42 8.61 9.52 9.69 10.41 7.42 8.29 6.34 5.71

Maize 1.4 1.53 1.62 1.80 1.74 1.56 1.10 1.94 1.94

Cocoyam 5.32 5.86 6.54 7.20 7.52 4.37 4.20 3.59 3.60

Crop 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Cassava 8.45 6.67 8.86 8.86 8.46 7.18 7.67 8.04 8.43

Yam 5.58 5.52 6.96 7.15 6.30 6.31 5.39 4.97 5.31

Maize 1.94 1.86 1.21 1.21 1.30 1.22 1.190 1.22 1.18

Cocoyam 3.54 4.02 6.25 6.25 6.82 7.05 7.27 7.55 5.50

Table 2 shows the steady decline of crop yield from 1986 to 2004. Two crops yam and maize clearly show steady decline. They are heavy feeders. Because of increased leaching and erosion due to higher rainfall pattern, their performances decrease. Maize, being grain crop, is sensitive to increased atmospheric temperature and therefore declines in yield. Cassava and cocoyam can respond to even poor soils and their yields are not seriously affected by climate change

Health Hazards: Sources of water for the people are contaminated with hydrocarbons as a results of the oil spill. Apart from surface water, ground water may be polluted too. The chemical compounds in polluted drinking water cause respiratory and chromosome damage, especially in women who use the water for washing and laundry activities (Uchegbu, 1998). Gas flaring and emissions

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from internal combustion engines contaminate water in the atmosphere which come down as acid rain to contaminate sources of drinking water.

Natural disasters and loss of lives/ property: Severe rainstorms in cities and communities lead to destruction of property including houses and farms. Floods are rampant and they may lead to loss of lives too. Landslides often occur in gully erosion sites. Buildings and main roads may cave in, in many cases. Many fishermen and traders lose their lives and property in the wake of storms in the high seas.

Road Collapses Other Environmental Problems: Many earth roads, especially in rural communities are damaged by floods and erosion and some may be impassable during the rainy seasons when this happens farmers are unable to evacuate their farm products to the markets. Thus they incur losses and some may not have money to plant again the next planting season. Acid rain which comes from polluted atmosphere destroy the roofs of houses made of corrugated iron sheets within a very short time. The people have to replace the roofs often.

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Suggestions for reducing the Climate change problems The suggestions include making legislation to check oil spill and gas flaring. Legislation should be made to impose heavy fines on oil companies responsible for oil spills or gas flaring. This will force them to be more careful in exploration and to service cocked old oil wells. Gas flared can be put to useful purposes. The damage by acid rain shall be reduced with the reduction of gas flaring.

Floods and Erosions should be controlled. Adequate drainage for run-off should be provided to reduce flooding in cities. In flood plains, water ways should be drained to allow free flow of water to avoid submergence of rice fields and other farm crops. There should be efforts to control erosion even in farmlands. Gully erosion should be checked especially at the initiation stages. With these controls, the washing away of farmlands can be reduced. Landslides can also be reduced.

Reduction of Emissions. Since most of the heavy vehicles and plants operating in the oil business are of diesel engine, palm oil biodiesel can be used to blend with diesel to cut down emissions. Research has should that biodiesel from native variety of the oil palm (Dura) is very effective in cutting down emissions when blended with diesel (Ituen, 2009). About 60 percent of the oil palm in this region is still made up of the Dura type.

Encouraging late season (Dry season) farming. Over the years, it has been observed that important food crops, root crops and vegetables, perform better in the dry season farming than in the wet season farming Table 3 below shows the yield of Cassava, a prominent root crop, between the wet season and the dry season farming for 2004 and 2005 across some states of the Niger Delta region the yield is better in the dry season farming.

Table 3: Cassava yield (Tones/ hectare) between Wet and Dry season farming across Niger Delta

2004 2005 State

Wet Season Dry Season Wet Season Dry Season

Akwa Ibom 8.92 9.91 10.50 13.11

Bayelsa 14.29 17.70 14.16 17.79

Cross River 12.02 14.37 12.71 14.02

Imo 14.02 15.16 14.37 16.25

Rivers 9.34 10.62 10.38 12.35

Source: Akwa Ibom State Agricultural Development programme, Uyo, Nigeria

It is observed that during dry season farming, there is reduced leaching and the crops make optimum use of available nutrients for higher yields. Since water availability is not a problem because of numerous rivers and streams, irrigation programmes during the 5 months dry season, November to March, would greatly boost food production.

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Conclusion Records show that rainfall in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria in the last 10 years is on the increase, with an annual average value of 2443.3mm at Uyo in Akwa Ibom State and even higher at Brass on the Atlantic Coast of Rivers State with 3785mm. At Uyo, the annual potential evaporation is estimated as 905.6mm, water surplus is 1529.7mm and run-off coefficient at 0.68. In many other places, the figures are even higher. Erosion, especially the gully type is everywhere, destroying land and property. National disasters, such rainstorms, landslides, floods, are common features, destroying land, property, and even lives. Agricultural production is low due to environmental degradation. There is hunger in the land.

These problems are closely associated with petroleum oil exploration in the area. The incessant oil spills destroy crops and vegetation extensively and consequently there is excess carbon in the atmosphere. This contributes to raising the atmospheric temperatures and hence serious evaporation from the water bodies and subsequent heavy rainfalls. The land and water bodies are contaminated and aquatic plants and animals, including fish are destroyed. There are gas flaring in the oil wells, emissions from heavy vehicles and these are added to atmospheric pollution. The polluted atmosphere and contaminated water are a health hazard.

Legislation to check oil spill, gas faring and emissions will help reduce these problems. The people need more health attention. Improved Agricultural production will help solve hunger problem.

References Ituen, E.U.U 2009. Carbon Monoxide (Co) Emissions reduced with Palm oil Biodiesel. Global

Journal of Engineering and Technology 2(2), 271-275.

Nigerian Meteorological Station 2007. Uyo, Nigeria

Rao, P. Venugopala. 2004. Textbook of Environmental Engineering 1st Ed Printice-Hall of India Private Limited. New Delhi.

Russel Walter E. 1973. Soil conditions and plant growth. 10th Ed. Longman Group Limited London.

Uchegbu, Smart M. 1998. Environmental Management and Protection. Precision Printers and Publishers, Achara Layout, Enugu, Nigeria

Udosen, Charles. 2008. Rainfall Analysis and Forecasting in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. Unwana Graphics Press, Uyo. Nigeria ISBN: 978-168-020-6.