Citation

Onuoha FC. J. Hum. Secur. 2008; 4(2): 19-36.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Librello Publishing)

DOI

10.3316/JHS0402019

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

By constitutional provision in Nigeria, the primary purpose of government is to ensure 'the security and welfare of the people'. However, it is ironic that despite Nigeria being the eighth-largest oil producer, and having the sixth-largest deposits of natural gas in the world, adulterated kerosene has become a recurrent source of mortality and fatal injuries in the country. This article examines the factors responsible for the recent kerosene explosions in two oil-rich states in Nigeria, as well as the implications of these disasters for human security. It argues that in addition to certain remote factors which create the current conditions for the kerosene explosions, the pre-eminent underlying factor responsible for the explosions and the attendant casualties is the failure of governance in Nigeria. In this connection, women and children of the poor were the most hit by the explosions. To forestall future reoccurrence, it advocates for the adoption of certain preventive and remedial measures aimed at strengthening institutions and processes of governance, enhancing the protection of oil pipelines, raising the value the society attaches to human lives, and instituting an effective integrated disaster management framework in the country.