Niger Delta Human Development Report - UNDP Nigeria - United ...

environment-development nexus. The
chapter analyses the wide-ranging changes
in the Niger Delta environment, attributed
to the impacts of oil and gas exploration
and exploitation, industrialization and
urbanization. The negative social impacts
of the environmental problems are
highlighted, including the frustrations of
the local people with both the oil companies
and multinational corporations on the one
hand, and the three tiers of government
and the environment regulatory agencies
on the other hand.
Chapter four dwells on HIV&AIDS,
prevailing social vices and the compounding
effects of the impoverishment of women
and young people. It explores the
connections to human development
concerns, and advocates for a multisectoral
and multi-stakeholder approach to the
management of HIV&AIDS.
In chapter five, conflicts and peace-making
in the Niger Delta are considered, given
their ramifications for the inclusive goals
of human development. The origins,
incidences and political economy of
conflicts are discussed. The chapter also
elaborates the requirements for sustainable
peace and political stability, as grounds for
harnessing the benefits of development in
the region.
Chapter six looks at the future possibilities
for promoting sustainable livelihoods in the
Niger Delta. The possible expansion of the
economic base of the region, and
consequently the institutional labour
market framework, would ideally increase
opportunities for employment in both the
modern and traditional sectors, as well as
expand people's occupational or career
choices in the pursuit of social and
economic activities that offer self-fulfilment
and quality of life.
Finally, chapter seven is about development
programming and its practical
implementation in the Niger Delta. The
chapter suggests a seven-point agenda and
action strategy to achieve human
development. The seven points are peace,
governance, economic diversification,
promotion of social inclusion,
environmentally sustainable development,
an integrated approach to HIV&AIDS and
partnerships for progress. These, more or
less, appear to constitute the necessary
building blocks for laying a solid foundation
for sustainable human development, and
the future of the Niger Delta region.
34 NIGER DELTA HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT