Information AboutNiger Delta |
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The Niger Delta, as defined officially by the Nigerian Government, extends over about 70,000 square kilometres and makes up 7.5% of Nigeria’s land mass. It includes land in Abia State , Akwa Ibom State , Bayelsa State , Cross River State , Delta State , Edo State , Imo State , Ondo State and Rivers State . Some 20 million people of more than 40 ethnic groups, speaking some 250 dialects live in the Delta. Their livelihoods are primarily based on Fishing and Farming . Coincidentally, Nigeria has become Africa's biggest producer of Petroleum , including many Oil Wells in the Oil Rivers. Some 2 million barrels a day are extracted in the Niger Delta. Since 1975, the region has accounted for more than 75% of Nigeria's Export earnings. Much of the Natural Gas extracted in oil wells in the Delta is immediately burned, or Flared , into the air at a rate of approximately 2.5 billion cubic feet per day. This is equivalent to 40% of African natural gas consumption, and forms the single largest source of Greenhouse Gas emissions on the planet. The environmental devastation associated with the industry and the lack of distribution of oil wealth have been the source and/or key aggravating factors of numerous environmental movements and inter-ethnic conflicts in the region, including recent guerilla activity by the Movement For The Emancipation Of The Niger Delta . ''It should not be confused with the Inner Niger Delta, also known as the Niger Inland Delta , in Mali .'' SEE ALSO REFERENCES
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