Oil Spill Management in Nigeria: SWOT Analysis of the Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) Process

Abstract

The Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) process of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) have been analysed using the Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) methodology. The oil spill Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) is empowered by the Oil Spill Recovery, Clean-up, Remediation and Damage Assessment Reulations, 2011 Section 5 . The s trength of the JIV process lies within its participatory nature and the well defined legal structure of the process. The oil spill Joint Investigation Visit process in Nigeria has several weaknes ses — lac k of i ndependence a nd o versight , l ack of technical competence on the part of regulatory bodies, l ack of technical competence on the part of community representative, l ack of transparency on the part of oil companies, lack of general procedure for determining the actual cause of spill, lack of general procedure for determining the actual volume of oil spilled, determination on the size of the impacted area and exclusion of women from the JIV Process. The JIV process for oil spill presents a number of opportunities such as; i ncreasing community a wareness , g rowing consciousness through Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and c apacity building of stakeholders . Possible threats to the JIV process include; p oor governance and corruption , manipulation of the Process by the spiller through the s tart d ate o f a n o il s pill and obvious lack of transparency. I mproved effectiveness of the JIV process will depend on strength ening of government agency coordination, integrated decision-making adequate training to various stakeholders and supporting infrastructure for purposeful monitoring and enforcement.