The contest for oil/resources in a federal system: the onshoreoffshore dichotomy case between the federation of nigeria versus abia and the littoral states

• Author: R. Ingwe/J.K. Ukwayi/G.I. Ettah
• Position: Institute of Public Policy and Administration (IPPA), University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria/Department of Sociology, University of Calabar, Nigeria
• Pages: 205-216

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov

Series VII: Social Sciences • Law • Vol. 7 (56) No. 2 - 2014

THE CONTEST FOR OIL/RESOURCES IN A

FEDERAL SYSTEM: THE ONSHORE-

OFFSHORE DICHOTOMY CASE

BETWEEN THE FEDERATION OF

NIGERIA VERSUS ABIA AND

THE LITTORAL STATES

R. INGWE 1 J.K. UKWAYI

2 G.I. ETTAH2

Abstract: Sub-national regional revolts and agitations over resource

sharing have characterized the federation of Nigeria since its formation

(1963). The representatives of the Niger Delta people demand to control

resources (especially petroleum and natural gas found i n their region)

because of dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s federal government exploitation

policy in the region. This article examines Nigeria’s Supreme (Apex) court

ruling that all resources (including petroleum, natural ga s, among other

minerals on land) be owned by the federal government thereby entitling

littoral states to compensation – an administrative amelioration distinct from

resource ownership. Being contentious, the court ruling evokes further

debate. Aspects of the issue are discussed.

Key words: Nigeria, resource control, onshore-o ffshore, dichotomy, federation.

1 Institute of Public Policy and Administration (IPPA), University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.

2 Department of Sociology, University of Calabar, Nigeria.

1. Introduction

Irrespective of the location of precious

resources - e.g. petroleum and natural gas,

among others- whether onshore (either

called Terra Firma, solid ground or land)

or offshore (i.e. in the Oceans including

their darkest depths or in the shallower

parts) competition for them remains fierce.

This is a passionately discussed matter

and raises issues of permanent significance

to sovereign states and organizations at

(sub)regional and global scales. This

statement is true of all spaces (be they land

and Oceanic area or mass water body over

which numerous socio-economic activities

including passage, transportation e.g.

shipping and trial wars, among others,

could be undertaken).

It is on the basis of the foregoing

premises that we examine the theme of this

article: the onshore-offshore dichotomy or

contest, represent matters of whereabouts

(i.e. location) as well as ordinary and legal

(statutory laws) perceptions of knowledge

regarding ownership of spaces and its

contents (especially resources).

Previously, inadequate technical,

technological skills, knowledge and

experience, prevented people, nation-