(a) Draw a map of Africa. On the map, locate and name: (i) an important area for the production of crude oil in Nigeria, Algeria and Libya (ii) one importan...

(a) Crude-oil-producing areas and towns in Africa

• Nigeria: Niger Delta; town: Port Harcourt.
• Algeria: Hassi Messaoud area in the Sahara; town: Hassi Messaoud.
• Libya: Sirte Basin; town: Marsa el Brega.

(b) Economic importance of crude oil to Nigeria

1. Crude oil is a major foreign-exchange earner. Exporting oil brings money into Nigeria from other countries.
2. It provides substantial revenue to the government through oil sales, taxes and royalties. This money can be used for public services and development projects.
3. It creates employment in exploration, drilling, refining, transport, marketing and related services. It also supplies energy and raw materials for industries such as petrochemical and plastics industries.

(c) Problems facing crude-oil production in Nigeria

1. Oil spillage and environmental pollution: leaks from wells, pipelines or tankers pollute land and water, damaging farmland, fishing grounds and settlements in the Niger Delta.
2. Vandalism, sabotage and conflict: damage to pipelines and conflict between local communities and oil companies can interrupt production and cause further spills.
3. Fluctuating world oil prices: when the world price of crude oil falls, oil exports earn less income, making production and government planning less secure.

Examination reminder: For the map question, place each oil area in the correct country and label both the producing area and a town clearly. For the written parts, give three separate, explained points rather than repeating the same idea as “income,” “revenue” and “money.”