The document discusses how geographic information systems (GIS) can help address environmental pollution issues in Nigeria's Niger Delta region. It begins by introducing the topic and defining environmental pollution. It then discusses the global effects of pollution and different countries' responses. The author argues that GIS can help monitor, track, and prevent pollution better than traditional reactive approaches. An action plan is proposed that establishes awareness campaigns, adopts technologies like GIS, encourages environmental education, and enforces relevant laws. The conclusion states that GIS can help track, analyze, and predict pollution effects to facilitate proactive responses.

1. 276
GIS as Information Technology’s Answer to the Environmental
Pollution Problem in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
Achi Celestine12
, Nnaemeka Obianuju Stella1
and Asika Chidi Michael3
Abstract
The threat to human and sub-human existence is no longer a new piece of information. By the moment, the print and
electronic media report cases of environmental pollution and its effects. On the developed side of the globe, the
media’s ideas are taken into consideration for prompt action while the developing nations remain unperturbed, not
because they do not want to solve the problems but because environmental pollution is given little or no priority.
In case of doubt, consider the Niger Delta people of Nigeria whose environment is not as valuable as their oil’s
revenue generation to the powers that be.
I believe that the feats being performed by even the developed nations is still a far cry from what can be
obtained if we employ the powers of the right tools in combating the global menace, Environmental
Pollution.
Information Technology, through the Geographic Information Systems phenomenon, would help
prevent, to a reasonable extent, the numerous crises we experience due to environmental pollution.
Between February and April 2000, I was privileged to work on the application of Geographic
Information Systems to the environmental pollution problem when we had to help the Niger Delta
Environmental Survey deal with the environmental problems threatening the existence of terrestrial and
aquatic lives in the Niger Delta region.
This paper takes a look into the current situation and introduces the age-long truth that prevention is better
than cure. GIS can help monitor, track and prevent the various forms of environmental pollution effects
rather than adopt the usual method of solving a problem that has already generated enough chaos. The
paper explores Geographic Information Systems as Information Technology’s answer to the
environmental pollution problem. It also highlights the action steps that we need to take in other to
conquer the global monster. The modules covered include:
• Environmental Pollution
• Global effects and national reactions
• Information Technology in today’s society
• Geographic Information Systems
• Geographic Information Systems and Environmental Pollution
• Action Plan
In the words of Sir Isaac Newton in his Laws of motion, “An object will continue in its state of rest or
constant uniform motion unless it is otherwise acted upon by an external force”. In that light, I believe that
the situation would only change for the better if we decide to take action now.
1
achi.celestine@consultant.com
EnviroInfo 2005 (Brno)
Informatics for Environmental Protection - Networking Environmental Information
Copyright © Masaryk University Brno, Brno 2005. ISBN: 80-210-3780-6

2. 277
1. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Oxford Advanced Learner’s dictionary defines pollution as adding harmful or unpleasant substances;
destroy the purity or sanctity of something. It also defines the environment as natural conditions in
which we live e.g. land, air, and water.
Physics and other sciences agree with the two definitions and thus, we can safely say that environmental
pollution is adding harmful or unpleasant substances and destroying the purity and sanctity of the
natural conditions in which we live.
2. GLOBAL EFFECTS AND NATIONAL REACTIONS
The concept of globalization is not only bringing about a synergism of the efforts of all
cooperative nations in combating technological, scientific, social and other issues; it also brings to the
attention of the world all the activities and experiences of most nations in existence today.
It would be very difficult for everyone to pretend as if we cannot see the various forms of pollution that
exist today. They range from deforestation to oil pollution and also includes air pollution, aquatic life
termination, terrestrial extinction tendencies, etc. The truth is that much of the environmental pollution
that we experience are man-made and can only be solved through the same process even though nature
tries its best to maintain what we know as the earth balance cycle.
In Nigeria, oil pollution is not uncommon especially in the Niger Delta, hunters are not innocent of the
terrestrial extinction crime, fishermen cannot claim innocence over the threat to aquatic life and loggers
would honestly attest to the fact that most trees are not replaced.
The Federal Government, through the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), has done some
work in combating this global vice along with other organizations, some of which are guilty of what they
preach against. (A political paper would deal with the job of listing such companies)
3. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
If there’s anything that has changed our lifestyle - the way we talk, relate, communicate, eat, buy, sell or
even sleep - it is the all-time chart buster, Information Technology.
We are obviously living in an age that true to the words of Prof. G. O. Ajayi (Chairman, INTECU and
COPINE. Professor, Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department, Obafemi Awolowo University,
Ile-Ife, Nigeria) can be described as knowledge driven and information technology propelled. Information
has proved to be the driving force of much of human endeavour over time and its present romance with
technology that has given rise to Information Technology has not performed below expectation.
Information Technology applications have helped in solving much of human, business, societal and
economic problems worldwide. Businesses would forever remain grateful to the introduction of
eCommerce into their models, structures, patterns and processes. That is an example of the influence
Information Technology can have on any issue.
3.1 ACTION PLAN
Considering the efficiency of the obsolete methods used in combating environmental pollution, we must
change our pattern of action. As much as that is true, we must set proper structures in place that would
serve as a foundational for further development and also eventually help in the actualization of the
prevention is better than cure scheme.
From study, observation and trend watch, I believe that we must do the following:
Copyright © Masaryk University Brno, Brno 2005. ISBN: 80-210-3780-6

3. 278
• Establish a massive awareness campaign on the effects of environmental pollution to reduce to a
considerable extent, the ignorance level of the general populace of any given society.
• Adopt cutting-edge technologies such as Geographic Information Systems in preventing
environmental pollution and break away from the usual happen first, then solve and mourn the
loss approach.
• Encourage a good knowledge base in the area of a proper environmental maintenance culture in
the residents of any given society.
• Motivate students whose disciplines or projects relate to the environment. This will in turn give a
better sense of responsibility and accountability on their part.
• The Federal, State and Local Governments should endeavour to set machinery in motion to
enforce decrees, laws and constitutional responsibilities that relate to environmental pollution,
without fair or favour.
Geographic Information Systems (as it relates to environmental pollution) should be introduced to the
University course curriculum on elective levels for the general populace, and with richer modern-day
instructions for related courses.
4. CONCLUSION
Having considered the aforementioned, it is obvious that Geographic Information Systems can help
monitor, track, report, analyse and prevent environmental pollution. A good system can also predict the
various effects that past environmental pollution events can have on our environment ahead of time.
This will help predict such things as the next time Florida will experience an earthquake, at what rate the
Niger Delta coastal line is receding and maybe even when next area boys will strike at Ajegunle.
Geographic Information Systems is Information Technology’s contribution to a considerate reduction
on the effects of environmental pollution in any given society.
Copyright © Masaryk University Brno, Brno 2005. ISBN: 80-210-3780-6