BETTER STRATEGIES FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF MARINE ENVIRONMENT LEGISLATION IN NIGERIA: LESSONS FROM SOME OTHER JURISDICTIONS

Abstract

Marine pollution is a major problem of the present world. Man is the culprit due to his quest for growth and survival. The overdependence and unaccountable exploits of the resources of the marine environment has led to decline as well as death to the marine living resources. To cure the challenge of marine pollution, Nigeria made myriad of laws on marine protection, but the menace of pollution persists due to weak enforcement of the laws against polluters. The challenge of the marine pollution is being tackled and efficiently managed by some western countries using formidable legal instruments and strategies to combat pollution of the marine. It is against this backdrop that this article examined better strategies to enforce marine environment laws in Nigeria, using the case of Chile, United Kingdom and South Africa with robust marine ecosystem. The article used doctrinal research method of data collection and adopted primary source of data like relevant statute and case laws, while the secondary sources of data adopted were books, journals, articles and internet materials. This article found that the laws addressing marine protection in Nigeria were fragmented, stale and faced with enforcement challenge. The article recommended that Nigeria should borrow a leaf from the marine environmental laws and strategies adopted by Chile, United Kingdom and South Africa to guarantee a virile marine ecosystem protection.