OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF MINERAL RESOURCES IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Natural resources are free gifts to mankind for quiet enjoyment. The quest for ownership and control of natural resources, specifically Petroleum has been a milestone of controversy among people, nations and the international community at large. In Nigeria the crisis over ownership of mineral resources is in diverse folds, which have led to several heated debates, conflicts and misinterpretations. Some of these conflicts are between the Federal, State Government and the Local Communities and the Government. The methodology was doctrinal and the approaches were, analytic and comparative. The primary sources such as; statutes and law reports both municipal and international and secondary sources like; articles and textbooks both online and unpublished were used in this study. It was found that the extant laws did not adequately address the concerns and yearnings of the Niger-delta region, hence the incessant objections. The researchers recommend among others, that besides the 3% community trust fund in the Petroleum Industry Act and the 13% in the Constitution, the law should allow, increase of allocation, full consultations of communities and their participation in the decision making process.