Vol. 1 Issue 3, pp: (43-55), July 2016. Available online at: http://www.prudentjournals.org/IRJESS

Review

Implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Approach in the Niger Delta,

Nigeria: A Review

A. S. Ringim1*, I. M. Sulaiman1, and J. V. Lyakurwa2

1Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa, Nigeria.

2Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

*Corresponding author. Email: asringiim@gmail.com

Received 11 May, 2016; Accepted 22 June, 2016.

ABSTRACT

Coastal areas, a transition between land and sea, are among the most productive ecosystems in the

world. The Niger Delta coastal area is rich in biodiversity and resources which supports over 30

million people living in the region. More importantly, the economy of the country largely depends on

oil and gas exploration from the region. However, over the last decades, inadequate management

have caused severe environmental degradation, loss of aquatic biodiversity, habitat destruction,

shoreline and coastal pollution within the region. In addition, with current projection of global climate

change and sea level rise, the Niger Delta region is extremely under threat. In this paper, we review

existing studies, highlights major threats affecting the Niger Delta, and propose a broader scientific

approach through Integrated Coastal Zone Management for the long-term management and

conservation of the Niger Delta. This process involves engaging with a wide range of stakeholders:

governments, academicians, conservationists and policy- makers, non-governmental organizations,

private investors and local communities in coastal management. The paper concludes that proper

planning, integration and implementation of this process will serve to improve the overall situation of

the Niger Delta communities, environment and biodiversity. Conservation of this ecosystem is in line

with the Convention on Biological Diversity to which Nigeria is a signatory.

Keywords: Coastal area, Conservation, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), Niger Delta, Stakeholders, Threats to biodiversity.

INTRODUCTION

Coastal areas are among the most productive

and valued ecosystems in the world (Crain et

al., 2009). For this reason, estimates have

shown that about 3 billion people are found

within 200 km of the coastline, with some 4

billion living 400 km. This figure is projected to

double by the year 2025 (Hinrichsen, 1999).

The reasons for rapid population growth in the

coastal areas include economic; industrial,

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tourism, fishing and aquaculture, shipping,

mining and energy production, and

exploitation of coastal and marine resources

e.g. mangroves (Hinrichsen, 1999; Akwilapo,

2011). These have attracted more people with

about 60 percent of the world population today

are living along the coast (Vallega, 2013).

Nonetheless, human pressures on the coastal

region and its resources have made them one

of the most degraded and threatened

ecosystem (Crain et al., 2009).

In the Niger Delta, dredging activities, urban

and industrial pollution as well as

overexploitation of natural resources have

immensely continued to degrade the natural

environment, biodiversity, and pose great

health danger to human lives (Adeyemo,

2003; Adekola and Mitcheel, 2011; Eleanya

and Agbeja, 2014). Over the years, the

Federal Government of Nigeria has set up

institutions to checkmate the ecological and

socio-economic problems affecting the delta

coastal areas. Such institutions include the

Niger Delta Development Commission

(NDDC), Niger Delta Basin and Rural

Development Authority, and the Oil and

Mineral Producing Areas Development

Commission (OMPADEC) (Uyigue and Agho,

2007). In spite of this, threats facing the coast

and biodiversity in the Niger Delta still persist.

In recent times, there has been an extensive

research study on environment and

biodiversity in the Niger Delta. Some of these

studies examined the effect of pollution on

turtle diversity (Luiselli and Akani 2002),

dredging activities in the delta region (Ohimain

2004), biodiversity conservation and poverty

alleviation in Niger Delta (Agbogidi and

Ofuoku 2006), impacts of climate change and

environmental degradation (Uyigue and Agho

2007). Some conservation measures for

managing the Niger Delta (Phil-Eze and Okoro

2009), Environmental Impact Assessment for

the Niger Delta (Ingelson and Nwapi 2009), oil

exploitation and conflict (Omofonmwan

and Odia 2009), threats to Niger Delta

ecosystem (Patrick 2009; Adekola and

Mitcheel 2011), impacts of mangrove forest

exploitation on fisheries resources (Oribhabor

and Udo 2011), sustainable fisheries

development in the Niger Delta (Akankali and

Jamabo 2011).

Moreover, impacts of climate change on fish

production in the Niger Delta (Aphunu and

Nwabeze 2013), threats to forest ecosystem in

the Niger Delta (Eleanya and Agbeja 2014),

gas flaring (Giwa et al., 2014), impacts of

wetlands degradation in the Niger Delta

(Loveline 2015). However, previous studies

predominantly focus on threats affecting the

Niger Delta. On the other hand, ICZM process

have shown to benefit local communities

(Gibson, 2003), protection of coastal

ecosystem (Hershman et al., 1999), and

conflict resolution among coastal communities

(McCreary et al., 2001). Therefore, this review

aimed at providing a new paradigm for

management and conservation of the Niger

Delta coastal area, which if properly

addressed will lead to an impressive result.

NIGER DELTA OVERVIEW

Nigeria has a coastline of about 853 km

located in the Atlantic Ocean, terrestrial zone

is about 28, 000 km2, whereas the continental

shelf is approximately 46, 300 km2 (Nwilo and

Badejo, 2006). The southern Niger Delta is

located within (05°19′34″N 06°28′15″E and

5.32611°N 6.47083°E, Figure 1). This

ecosystem extend over 70,000 km² making up

about 55% of Nigeria's freshwater systems,

and is being recognized as the second largest

delta in the world, and has the largest

mangrove forest in Africa (UNDP, 2006;

Uyigue and Agboh, 2007; Mmom and

Arokoyo, 2009; Okonkwo et al., 2015). The

region comprised several lagoons, wetlands,

mangrove swamps, beaches, savannah, salt

marshes, creeks, coastal and tropical

rainforest rich in biodiversity (Phil-Eze and

Okoro, 2009). The region is categorized into

four ecological sub-zones; coastal barrier

Islands, mangrove forest, freshwater swamp

forest, and the lowland rainforest (Mmom and

Arokoyu, 2009). The temperature in the region

44 Int. Res. J. Environ. Sci. Stud.

is between 24°C to 32°C throughout the year,

rainfall ranges from 3000- 4500 mm, with two

distinct seasons: wet season starting from

July- September, and dry season from

December- February (Nwilo and Badejo,

2006; Okonkwo et al., 2015).

There are 119 species of mammal, 201 birds,

30 reptiles, over 850 vulnerable tree species,

and about 338 freshwater fish species in the

Niger Delta region (Phil-Eze and Okoro, 2009;

National Biodiversity and Strategy Action Plan,

2014). The region harbour endemic species of

animals such as Delta Killifish Aphyosemion

deltaense and many endangered species

such as the Home's hinge-back tortoise

Kinixys homeana, and the West African Red

Colubus Procolobus badius (Phil-Eze and

Okoro, 2009; Adekola and Mitchell, 2011;

NBSAP, 2014). Although, being the richest

ecosystem in Nigeria, its vast areas have not

been explored due to political and economic

conflicts in the region.

The people of the Niger Delta largely depend

on coastal resources for food, fish, fibre, fuel,

timber, charcoal, medicinal plants, aesthetic

and tourism (Adekola and Mitchell, 2011;

Malik et al., 2015). For instance, assessment

of timber production in the delta region by the

World Bank is about US$22.8 million, and the

value of wetlands and other ecosystem

services account for about US$14 trillion

annually (World Bank, 1995; Eleanya and

Agbeja, 2014). The Niger Delta comprises

nine states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa,

Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and River

States with over 30 million inhabitants

representing about 22% of Nigeria’s

population (Patrick, 2009; Adekola and

Mitchell, 2011). The oil and gas resources

from the Niger Delta are the main source of

financial income for Nigeria, accounting for

about 90% of foreign exchange (NBSAP,

2014). The World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

classified the region as among the 200

critically endangered eco-region, and by the

World Bank as the second most sensitive

environment in Africa (Phil-Eze and Okoro,

2009).

Fig. 1. (a) Position of Nigeria in Africa, (b) Map of Nigeria showing coastal area of the Niger Delta, (c) Niger

Delta States

Ringim et al 45

Socio-economic issues

According to the United Nations Development

Programme (2008), more than 60% of the

Niger Delta communities depend on the

natural environment for their livelihood mainly

in the form of farming and fishing. However,

excessive pollution and contamination of fish

with toxic chemicals, destruction and death of

crops have jeopardized their livelihood. For

instance, since 1980s annual fish catch fell

from 1.88 tons in 1983 to 0.7 tonnes in 1989

(Malam et al., 2004). In addition, most people

among the local population have been

experiencing health problems as a results of

pollution (Patrick, 2009). For example, in June

2001, oil spills occurred in Ogdobo village and

destroyed the community’s only source of

drinking water with more than 150,000 people

reported to have been infected with skin and

eye problems (Patrick, 2009). In Ogoni, a

village called Luawii where oil exploration

ceased for about four years in 1997, results

from samples of water taken to the United

Sates for analysis indicated that the water

contained 18 ppm of hydrocarbons which is

360 times greater than the standard level

approved by the European Union. In another

village called Ikwerre had 34 ppm, which is

680 times far greater than the European Union

standard (Nwilo and Badejo, 2006) were

recorded. Findings by Eleanya and Agbeja

(2014) revealed that pollution of the mangrove

forest, and other freshwater water bodies by

mining and exploration activities have

impacted on the indigenous communities

through degradation of fertile farmlands critical

for agriculture (Adekola and Mitchell, 2011).

Governmental issues

Nigeria is ranked 12th largest producer of

crude oil in the world (Ingelson and Nwapi,

2014). Ownership of crude oil and gas is

bestowed on the Federal Government,

whereas the state and local governments, and

individuals are excluded from owning oil

resources. With these rich resources, millions

of Nigerians are surviving on less than US$ 1

per day (Ingelson and Nwapi, 2014).

Consequently, these has led to many factors

such as lack of social infrastructures (e.g.

electricity) and services (e.g. good

transportation system, health facilities), high

unemployment, extreme poverty, and conflict

among others in the Niger Delta and beyond

(Patrick, 2009). Thus, the Federal government

and private investors particularly firms for

mining and gas exploration have been blamed

for the environmental degradation in the Niger

Delta (Phil-Eze and Okoro, 2009). Not only

that, weak institutions resulting from the lack

of interests on biodiversity conservation and

political will help further devastate the

ecosystem. The Nigerian Government strongly

put more commitments towards oil exploitation

activities than protecting the aesthetic beauty

of the natural environment and biodiversity

(Phil-Eze and Okoro, 2009).

Coastal management in Nigeria

In Nigeria, before the Land Use Act (1978),

ownership of land and in particular coastline

are vested on the state and exclusively

controlled by the Federal Government since

trans-boundary waters are governed by

international law and full power belong to the

sovereign state. Nevertheless, the control of

coastal habitats such as beaches, wetlands,

estuaries, and land within the coast is vested

on the community as communal property

(Awolaja, 2010). Although the Land Use Act

preserves existing interests in land, ownership

of land in the territory of the state, are vested

on the governor of the state except those

lands held by the Federal government, this

often leads to bottlenecks in locating the

appropriate authority to control and manage

coastal areas in the territory of the states. For

instance, the case of Attorney General of

Lagos versus Attorney General of the

Federation in 2003 where Lagos state

challenged the physical planning power of the

Federal government over land in the territory

of Lagos state is a typical example.

In general, the overall obligation to protect the

coastal areas of Nigeria is entrusted on the

Federal Government by section 17 of the

46 Int. Res. J. Environ. Sci. Stud.

constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

1999 (Awolaja, 2010). According to Awolaja

(2010) Federal regulation over coastal area

management is defined in two methods. The

first is by extending control and jurisdiction

over land within certain coastline in respect of

land in the territory of a state. The second way

is by enacting Federal laws that regulate the

dumping and disposal of solid and liquid waste

(e.g. components from oil spill), toxic and

hazardous wastes into the environment. Some

of these laws include Oil Pollution Act (1990),

Harmful Waste (1990), Petroleum (Drilling and

Production) Regulations (1969), Mineral Oil

(Safety) Regulations (1963). Whereas

international conventions include International

Convention on the Establishment of an

International Fund for Compensation for Oil

Pollution Damage (1971), Convention on the

Prevention of Marine pollution Damage (1972)

(Nwilo and Badejo, 2006). Despite these laws

and protection measures, environmental

degradation and pollution in the Niger Delta

continues unabated which albeit respected

would have prevented environmental

degradation in the area.

THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY IN THE

NIGER DELTA COASTAL AREA

The Niger Delta ecosystem is undergoing a

rapid change and decline in biodiversity due to

synergistic threats resulting from

anthropogenic pressures. This has plunged

the coastal areas at a greater risk

morphologically, ecologically and biologically.

The major threats to biodiversity and

communities in the Niger Delta are highlighted

below:

Habitat destruction

Habitat can be defined as the physical and

biological surroundings of an organism, or

specifically as sites having appropriate levels

of the biotic and abiotic features required by a

species for survival and reproduction (Van

Dyke, 2008). In order for a species to be

viable, its habitat must have essential

requirements such as food, mate, and water

(Opande et al., 2004). However, human

activities along the coast including coastal

modifications, pollution, oil and gas

exploration have degraded and destroyed the

pristine habitats making them unsuitable for

the survival of many species. In the Niger

Delta, pollution from oil spillage has been

described as the main threat to biodiversity

and human life (quote here). Intentional

destruction of pipelines (oil bunkering) by

unknown persons within the Niger Delta

communities and for artisanal refinery has led

to several habitat destruction, fragmentation,

and upwelling of bottom sediments which are

associated with turbidity affecting benthic flora

and fauna (Luiselli and Akani, 2003; NBSAP,

2014). Also, dredging activities purposely

carried out to facilitate oil exploration;

construction of base camps, and disposal of

waste has also been shown to have a very

noticeable effects on biodiversity, environment

and human life (Ohimain, 2004). These

activities involve deepening and widening of

channels or cutting down vegetation to make

access to roads. This have direct

consequences upon species niches, food

chain, hydrology and topography in general

(Ohimain, 2004).

Ringim et al 47

Fig. 2. Habitat destruction caused by dredging activities for oil exploration in the Niger Delta (Source: Ohimain,

2004). From the picture three main habitats destruction are identifiable: (1) Habitat fragmentation, (2)

Decrease in the size of habitat leading to patches, habitat isolation, and (3) Reduction on the quality of the

patches, habitat degradation (Van Dyke, 2008).

Pollution, oil spill, and gas flaring

Pollution is among the main challenges facing

the Niger Delta coastal region. Over the past

50 years, between 9 and 13 million barrels of

oil has spilled in the Niger Delta ecosystem.

Between 1976 and 1997, about 5334 listed

cases of crude oil spillage were documented

for the region alone (Adekola and Mitchell,

2011). This has direct effects on the

environment, including lowering water quality,

blockage of sunlight radiating into the water

column, mass mortality of plants and animals,

and destruction of spawning sites for aquatic

animals (Ingelson and Nwapi, 2014). The

findings of Luiselli and Akani (2003) provided

typical instances of oil spillage that occurred in

the Niger Delta; Bonny oil Spillage (1993),

Rumuekpe oil spillage (1995), and the

Ogbodo-Isiokpo oil spillage (2001). All these

had a negative impact on the hydrology and

biological processes.

For instance, loss of genetic resources (units

of hereditary material of plant, animal or

microbe) in the Ogoni land has been attributed

to pollution of soil by petroleum hydrocarbons

(NBSAP, 2014). As Reported by UNEP

(2011), about 307, 381 m2 of mangroves

forest were loss in four years in the Niger

Delta. In terms of gas flares, about 75% or

equivalent to 2.5 billion ft3 of crude oil

produced in the Niger Delta are flared daily

with an estimated yearly financial loss of

US$2.5 billion (Nduka et al., 2008). In Rivers

and Delta states, about 12 million tons of

methane gas is released annually making

Nigeria the highest emitter of green house

gases in Africa (Uyigue and Agho, 2007; Giwa

et al., 2014). This enhance acidic rain and

carbon emission into the environment with

direct effects on wildlife and humans

(Hendrey, 2001).

48 Int. Res. J. Environ. Sci. Stud.

Fig. 3. (a) Pollution in the Niger Delta region (NBSAP, 2014)

Climate change

Ogba and Utang, (2010) defines climate

change as change in the state of the climate

that can be identified by changes in the mean

and/or the variability of its properties and that

persists for an extended period, typically

decades or longer. Consequently, climate

change has been identified as one of the most

threatening process ever in human history due

to its impact on environment, and economic

aspect (Khaneshan et al., 2014), and African

continent is the most vulnerable (United

Nations, 2006). In recent decades, the

atmospheric temperature has increased due

to anthropogenic activities such as fossil fuel

combustion and deforestation (Sirakov and

Slavcheva, 2015). The current increase of

atmospheric CO2 of 400 ppmv is about five

times higher than any recorded levels in the

past 1.5 million years (Van Dyke, 2008;

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration, 2016). This has detrimental

impacts on both terrestrial and marine

ecosystems. On continental scale, it is

predicted that by the year 2100, the global

mean surface temperature likely to increase

by 1.1oC -6.4oC and sea level rise by 75-190

(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,

2014). Some models predicted by the year

2400, humans will have released about 5000

gigatones of CO2 to the atmosphere since the

start of the industrial revolution which began

during the last half of the 18th century (Zachos

et al., 2008, Khaneshan et al., 2014).

Furthermore, numerous projections attempted

to predict the future consequences of global

climate change. Although, some areas have

started experiencing these impacts, the

coastal areas seem to be more vulnerable to

rising sea level, El Nino, unstable temperature

and rainfall (Sirakov and Slavcheva, 2015). In

the Niger Delta, for instance, the northward

extension has been creating tidal influences

up to 30-50 km from the shoreline (Ogba and

Utang, 2010). Some predictions in the Niger

Delta indicated an increase in the sea level by

30 cm in the next three decades and about

110 cm over the next century (Ogba and

Utang, 2010). This presents an extreme

danger to the Niger Delta coastal ecosystem.

The National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of

Action for climate change in Nigeria (NASPA-

CCN) echoed that the consequences of

climate change is being felt in many parts of

Nigeria and suggest that in the absence of

mitigation and adaptation, climate change

could result in the loss of between 2% and

11% of Nigeria’s GDP by 2020, and 30% by

the year 2050 (NBSAP, 2014). Hence, to

some scientist we have surged into

the Anthropocene thermal maximum, an era of

global warming (Zeebe, 2013). As a result,

climate change deserves crucial attention,

particularly in the coastal region of the Niger

Delta.

Overexploitation

Overexploitation of wild species could lead to

population depletion, loss of genetic diversity

Ringim et al 49

and structure, and untimely extinction of

species (Crain et al., 2009, NBSAP, 2014).

Despite several protected areas in the Niger

Delta, major threats such as deforestation,

logging, hunting, and fishing continue to

prevail (Adekola and Mitchell, 2011).

Overexploitation of resources within the region

is due to rapid expansion of human population

(Phil-Eze and Okoro, 2009). Some

commercially important timber species being

exploited include African Mahogany Khaya

spp, the vulnerable Bilinga Nauclea diderrichi,

and Black Afara Terminalia ivorensis (NBSAP,

2014). According to estimates by Mmom et al.,

(2010), the Niger Delta mangrove forests will

lose about 5-15% of its species by 2020 due

to overexploitation. Abowei and Hart (2009)

noted that fish species, Squeaker Synodontis

clarias, and Glass schilbid Parailia pellucida

are facing overexploitation due to

unsustainable fishing. Some globally

threatened species on the IUCN Redlist

(2015) in the Niger delta includes African

Manatee Trichecus senegalensis, African

forest elephant Loxodonta cyclotis,

Chimpanzee Pan troglodytes, Olive colobus

monkey Procolobus verus, Anambra waxbill

Estrilda poliopareia and Redcap mangabey

Cercocebus torquatus. Others that deserves

legal protection against overexploitation

include Pygmy Hippopotamus Hexaprotodon

liberiensis, Sclater Guenon Cercopithecus

sclateri, and West African Pepper Piper

guineensis (Phil-Eze and Okoko, 2008).

Therefore, it is necessary that the levels of

exploitation are controlled in order to protect

these species from facing extinction.

ESTABLISHMENT OF INTEGRATED

COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT FOR

THE NIGER DELTA

Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM),

are called by many names, such as

Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM),

Coastal Zone Management (CZM), and the

Ecosystem Approach to Management (EAM)

(Crain et al., 2009). Nevertheless, they all

address issues related to coastal and marine

resources, human safety, and costal

biodiversity conservation (Crain et al., 2009).

ICZM takes into account the interest of all the

coastal stakeholders: local people,

government authorities, non-governmental

organizations (NGOs), scientists and investors

(Chuenpagdee and Pauly, 2004; Ramesh and

Vel, 2011). This method involves planning,

coordination, and making decision for the

sustainable use of coastal resources and

conservation (Steijn et al., 2012). Other

processes include defining problems, data

collection, co-ordination, decision making,

implementation, monitoring and evaluation of

utilized resources. However, for the ICZM

process to be effective, all the stakeholders

need to be involved.

Despite the fact that ICZM process is a new

approach to coastal management, they are

common in many parts of the world including

beneficial examples from China, United

States, Philippines, Kenya, South Africa, and

Tanzania (e.g. Linden and Lundin, 1997;

Hershman et al., 1999; Pollnac and Pomeroy,

2005). Numerous efforts were made by the

Nigerian Government to curtail problems

confronting communities in the Niger Delta but

with little positive results. Therefore, there is

the need for a scientific approach such as the

Integrated Coastal Zone Management in order

to improve the deleterious situations in the

Niger Delta coastal areas. Recommended

Guidelines for the establishment and

implementation of ICZM in the Niger Delta are

highlighted below:

Staffing/Stakeholders

First, all the stakeholders and management

team for the ICZM processes should be

drafted. These include federal and state

government representatives; Ministry of

Environment, Ministry of Petroleum

Resources, Ministry of Water Resources, and

Ministry of Health, while non-governmental

organizations (NGOs) should include Nigerian

Conservation Foundation (NCF), Niger Delta

Wetland Centre (NDWC), the Niger Delta

Development Commission (NDDC), private

sectors (oil firms), the Centre for

Environmental Resources and Sustainable

50 Int. Res. J. Environ. Sci. Stud.

Ecosystems, and various representatives from

the local communities including chiefs, village

heads, elders, ward heads, district heads and

village residents. Additionally, experts from

various fields, e.g. ecologists (especially fresh

water and marine ecologists), botanists,

zoologists, and geologists who can focus

broadly on the impacts across the Niger Delta

ecosystem should be incorporated. The

specialist could also be from the local

conservation organization such as Nigerian

Conservation Foundation, and the Niger Delta

Wetlands Centre. Internationally, conservation

agencies such as the International Union for

the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and World

Wildlife Fund (WWF) should strongly be

involved. This will help to harmonize ideas and

achieve a desired decision which ultimately

will determine the success of ICZM.

Defining threats and problems

Threats pertaining to biodiversity should be

clearly identify. Habitat loss and degradation,

e.g. the destruction of wetlands, lagoons and

estuaries, habitat fragmentation due to

dredging activities, loss of plant and animal

species with emphasis on endemic and

threatened species to the Niger Delta need to

be clearly assessed to ensure the

sustainability of biodiversity in the delta. In

addition, problems related to socio-economic

issues between the local people, federal and

state government, oil companies should also

be considered such as good infrastructures,

e.g. good roads, health facilities, and

employment opportunities. This information is

critical in establishing ICZM and only their

proper management will determine the ICZM

success. The decision and policy makers

require these data to monitor and assess

natural resource inventories, environmental

and social-cultural changes, for sustainable

development.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is

crucial and therefore should be included in the

ICZM plan to find out or verify the extent of

human impact on environment and

biodiversity. The output of the EIA should be

taken into account in the course of decision-

making for proper implementation processes.

Modern models, e.g. climate change

modelling, and satellite images will be

effective for explaining, predicting and

supporting the plans, strategies and policies.

Maps and other data gathering methods

should be presented in a way that will permit

easy access of information (Creary, 2003).

Furthermore, cost-benefit analysis of

resources for all kind of developmental plans

should be considered. This EIA report would

help to promote the costal management and

provide a mechanism for enhancing new

socio-economic opportunities and for

introducing long-term environmental protection

and conservation measures for the Niger

Delta ICZM (Anjaneyulu and Manickam, 2011)

Data collection and storage

Ecological, social, and indigenous traditional

knowledge should be combined to fill in most

of the data needed for ICZM plan preparation

and implementation through which the

sustainable management of the coast will be

achieved. This information is crucial to

develop successful ICZM plan, and therefore

should be well documented for future

monitoring and evaluation.

Stakeholders agreement

To integrate the sectoral plans, interactive

sessions such as workshops, seminars, and

meetings should be conducted among the

various coastal stakeholders. This should

contain detailed information about the ICZM

plan, status of the coast/habitats, threats to

biodiversity and humans, and benefits of the

coast/habitats, recommended strategies and

developmental action plan for the sectors and

implementation mechanism.

Public hearing, and workshop

After the ICZM plan has been circulated

among the various stakeholders, executives,

managers, representatives from both primary

and secondary stakeholders of the Niger Delta

states should meet to evaluate and make

modifications on the plan where necessary.

Reviewed plans should be shared amongst

Ringim et al 51

coastal managers for further clarifications,

while various means of mass communication

such as television, newspaper, and radio will

serve to promote integration and

communication among various stakeholders

(Chuenpagdee and Pauly, 2004; Ramesh and

Vel, 2011).

Recommended ICZM plan

Finally, this is the stage where ICZM process

is adopted, initiation of strategies, dialogue,

and call for new styles of management,

conservation and governance in the Niger

delta coast. This will help in achieving the

objectives and goals set in place so as

ecological, social and institutional needs of

people of the Niger Delta will be met.

Recommended plan should ensure active

involvement and participation of all

stakeholders especially indigenous

communities. The local people and other

stakeholders should have profound knowledge

of the plan objectives and components so as

to have clear understanding about how the

ICZM operates (Creary, 2003; Ramesh and

Vel, 2011).

Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation

ICZM implementation activities should be

managed, monitored and evaluated by

respective states and other stakeholders

including the local communities to form a team

of representatives in the form of coastal

managers for successful ICZM plan. Cross-

sectoral coordination and consultation towards

the developmental activities of the

stakeholders should be encouraged prior to

actions to increase developmental plans of the

ICZM (Creary, 2003).

CONCLUSION

The Niger Delta coastal area is extremely

important for its rich wildlife and abundant oil

resources which account for about 90% of

Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The

ecosystem is fundamental to the well-being

and livelihood of the coastal communities

living in the region and beyond. Moreover, the

ecosystem harbour endemic species found

nowhere else in the world such as A.

deltaense, and the P. badius epeini. However,

this important region is under multiple threats

including pollution, habitat destruction and gas

flaring which are negatively affecting the

natural environment, biodiversity and human

health.

As the result, this paper review existing

studies and suggests an ICZM process needs

to be developed to ensure the sustainable

management and conservation of the Niger

Delta. Local communities within the Niger

Delta and the country at large would

immensely benefit from this through improved

economic and sustainable development,

conflict resolution, recreation and tourism

development, and secured oil and gas

exploration in the region. The Nigerian

government should adopt modern techniques

to handle oil spillage incidences and clean up,

put in place strong mitigation measures

against the effects of climate change. In

addition, improve the livelihood of the coastal

states particularly the rural communities

through the provision of infrastructures such

as quality education, electricity, portable

drinking water, good transportation system,

and health facilities. It is hope that the Federal

government, state governments within the

Niger Delta, conservationist and policy-

makers, non-governmental organizations, and

oil companies in the Niger Delta region will

adopt this new strategy for promoting the

management and conservation of this

productive ecosystem.

Acknowledgement We thank the financial assistance of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), and Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

52 Int. Res. J. Environ. Sci. Stud.

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