Space-time Cluster Analysis of Accidental Oil Spills in Rivers State, Nigeria, 2011-2019

Oil spills cause environmental pollution with a serious threat to local communities and sustainable development. Accidental oil can be modelled as stochastic process where each spill event is described by its spatial locations incidence-time hence allow for space-time cluster analysis. Space-time analysis detect pattern distribution of which useful implementing preventive measures evidence-based decision making. This study aims the clusters accidental in Rivers state, Nigeria through Scan Statistic. The Statistic was applied under permutation model data (each sabotage operational spills) collected at Local Government Area (LGA)-level during period from 2011 2019. results show that have covered most LGAs southern part state start then 2018–2019, it moved west covering single LGA. two neighboring south. In addition, temporal seen 2019 2011–2012. an increasing trend maximum while decreasing minimum These findings assist more effective decision-making combating problems controlling future incidence cluster-regions.