THE OGIDIGBEN EPZ GAS PROJECT AND THE ENVIRONMENT: HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

The Ogidigben Export Processing Zone (EPZ), also known as the Gas Revolution Industrial Park Project, is located on a land mass of about 2,560 Hectares situated between Ogidigben and Ajudaibo communities in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State of Nigeria. As a result of the soaring need for economic development, the Delta State Government decided to via into the establishment of EPZ which has been globally acclaimed as a panacea for guaranteeing foreign direct investment, foreign exchange earnings and technology transfer. The hue and cry in this paper is on the resultant environmental hazards which may arise from the operation of the EPZ and which may impair the health and violate the human rights to clean environment of the tenants, workers, and members of host communities of the EPZ, a situation which the Government failed to address.