Challenges and Prospects of Enforcement of Environmental Laws in Port Harcourt Metropolis Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the challenges and prospects of enforcement of environmental laws in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State. For the purpose of data collection, the research survey or descriptive method was adopted. Data obtained from the field using a questionnaire instrument constituted the primary source of data. In addition, secondary data were obtained from government organizations and previous studies carried out by eminent scholars in the field of environmental laws. Descriptive statistics such as simple percentages, cross tabulations and charts were used to explain the results of the analyses while inferential statistics such as analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test hypothesis 1 (no significant difference in perception of Port Harcourt residents on role of environmental laws and regulations) and principal component analysis (PCA) was used in analyzing the hypothesis 2 (no significant variation in effects of the factors influencing non-compliance with environmental laws in Port Harcourt). For hypothesis 1, the null hypothesis is rejected while the alternative hypothesis is accepted e.g; the causes of non-compliance with environmental laws among the selected communities vary. For hypothesis 2, using principal component analysis, four components explain 80.8% of the total variance in the factors causing non-compliance with environmental laws in Port Harcourt Metropolis. Component 1(Governance and Rights) explains 42.2% of the variation, component 2(Implementation and Evaluation) explains 20.5%, and component 3(Attitudes and Laws) explains 11.8% while component 4(Poverty and Understanding of Environmental Rights) explains 6.2%. On the challenges and prospects of enforcement of environmental laws in Port Harcourt city, Rivers State, some challenges were identified such as poor funding of the agencies/ministries, conflicting roles amongst the enforcement agencies, also of importance is the poor/obsolete laws. Some enhancements of enforcement were identified as follows; stiffer penalties for defaulters of the environmental laws, adequate funding and stiffer enforcement measures amongst others. The research recommends the following; the government must review the functions of all its ministries and agencies by either merging or abolishing those with same roles. The national and states assemblies should review all relevant environmental laws, and replace them with local content laws. Funding, institutional strengthening and capacity building of the enforcement agencies/ministries must be given priority. Finally the government must recognise the need to gain the confidence of the general public to achieve all these measures suggested.