SOAS Research Online

Abstract

Port Harcourt, a city in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria, has been plagued by the menace of soot in the last few years. This soot pollution, which has caught international attention has been attributed primarily to the widespread artisanal refining of stolen crude oil in illegal makeshift refineries and the burning of confiscated refineries with their chemical content by Nigerian military and para-military security agencies. This article examines in detail the causes of soot pollution in Port Harcourt, its impact on the environment, as well as the governments (inadequate) efforts to provide a solution to the menace. Importantly, the article addresses the primary question of what legal options are open to citizens and members of the public who wish to take action to address the soot pollution in order to protect their interests and enhancing the sustainable development of the city of Port Harcourt.