Population, Environment and Security in Port-Harcourt

This paper examines the implication of over-population and environmental degradation on securityin Port-Harcourt with the assumption that the more people seek to survive, the more intense their activities on the environment which leads to degradation.Adopting the human needs theory, it argues that the development in the city attracts people into it and therefore, causing further degradation and pollution.The city is highly populated, and the bulk, mostly unemployed youths turn to violence and crimes having been introduced to political violence by the elites.When such opportunities were no longer there, they sought for ways to make ends meet and thus, got involved in street violence and militancy.It is therefore suggested that the city be decongested by developing other towns and villages outside Port-Harcourt and relocate some of the government ministries and departments; make sporting facilities available in these localities to divert the attention of the youths from violence.The state is also required to gainfully engage the youths and stop using them as political thugs.