CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Nigeria is a nation blessed with abundance of natural resources; over the years the oil and gas sector has being the major contributor to the nation’s economy since the deviation from agriculture. Among all the states in Nigeria, those states under the Niger-delta region are the pivot behind the national power in the oil and gas sector.

Over the years the region has suffered environmental degradation and charges of marginalization in the provision of employment, patronage and ancillary contracts and this has fueled up the growth of conflict in Nigeria; the effect of this conflict became more pronounced in the 1990’s with local militias constantly using violent protest as a medium to subvert, delay and obstruct the oil and gas activities which in turn resulted to conflict termed “petro violence”.

According to (Watt, 1999) stated that because of the nature of the Nigeria’s political economy as being overly oil-dependent neo-patrimonial state, the oil resources and oil rents are paramount in shaping the national political discourses and increased broad rhythm of social conflicts, including the ongoing security threats in the oil producing sector of Nigeria.

Since the discovery of oil and gas (ONG) in this region (Niger delta) in the year 1956, there have a decline in both political and the socio economic wellbeing of the people in Niger delta region because of environmental degradation caused by lack of regulation and abuse of oil and gas exploration and other production activities.