Illegal Oil Bunkering Hotspots, Its Implication on Vegetal Depletion in Delta State, Nigeria

The study assessed facilities-based activities of illegal oil bunkering and its spatial trend, hotspots across Delta state. Secondary data was obtained from Landsat imageries of 2013 and 2018, National Oil Spill Monitor and National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). The images were classified using supervised classification method, and the coordinates of illegal bunkering sites were overlaid and analyzed using the Differentiate Weighing Technique to express the magnitude of illegal bunkering activities that occurred across space while the coordinate were imported and overlaid on the administrative map of the study area to enable the appreciation and understanding of the trend in facilities-based activities of illegal bunkers across space. Findings revealed that between the years of 2013 through 2018, 162 oil spills was recorded and were spills recorded as a result of illegal bunkering in Delta state. Oil pipeline accounted for over 50 percent of targeted facilities by the operation of the illegal bunkering. Also, there is a noticeable decrease in the area covered by mangrove and fresh water forest in the tune of 68 and 60 percent respectively. This decrease can be attributed to the impact of spill oil on vegetal cover and health. Thus, the study recommends that communities sensitization programs should be encourage educating the host communities on the extent of self-inflicted impacts on the environment by the activities of locals.