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 (051934N 062815E and
5.32611N 6.47083E, Figure 1). This
ecosystem extend over 70,000 km 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 24C to 32C 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 Nigerias
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 Fun
