Sustainable Development and the Exploitation of Bitumen in Nigeria: Assessing the Environmental Laws Faultlines

A major target or the attainment of sustainable development is maintenance a healthy environment within dynamics natural resource development. In order to achieve this target, mechanisms are put in place ensure that prior and during developmental process resource, reasonably spared consequences invasive exploitation activities. This makes it important for states laws regulations would guarantee resources section its economy. Bitumen one Nigeria has commenced commercial diversify economy from largely oil dependent one. Study shown bitumen, if not carefully monitored, potentially more devastating environmental footprint than petroleum. paper therefore examines two statutes viz Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act National Standards Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act, with aim ascertaining their provisions expansive enough take care bitumen’s processing requirements The finds these laws, relation bitumen development, have serious lacuna could endanger Nigerian sector.