Assessment of the Impact of Oil and Gas Resource Exploration on the Environment of Selected Communities in Delta State, Nigeria (original) (raw)
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This study was designed to investigate the impact of crude oil exploration in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria with particular reference to its environmental effect on the six oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom State. This research became necessary because oil exploration and production have gravely injured agricultural produce (aquatic and farm), in the region. Activities such as farming, fishing and hunting have drastically reduced in the region which in the past was the major sources of income and livelihood of the local population. With the increasing soil infertility, health hazard and underdevelopment of the region, the inhabitants of the host communities have been forced to abandon their land and seek for nonexistent alternative means of livelihood. The population of the study consisted of residents in the six oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom State. Data for the study was collected through secondary sources. The result of the data analysis indicated a significant relationship between oil exploration and environmental degradation in Akwa Ibom State. Abstract-This study was designed to investigate the impact of crude oil exploration in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria with particular reference to its environmental effect on the six oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom State. This research became necessary because oil exploration and production have gravely injured agricultural produce (aquatic and farm), in the region. Activities such as farming, fishing and hunting have drastically reduced in the region which in the past was the major sources of income and livelihood of the local population. With the increasing soil infertility, health hazard and underdevelopment of the region, the inhabitants of the host communities have been forced to abandon their land and seek for nonexistent alternative means of livelihood. The population of the study consisted of residents in the six oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom State. Data for the study was collected through secondary sources. The result of the data analysis indicated a significant relationship between oil exploration and environmental degradation in Akwa Ibom State. On the basis of this, the following conclusion were drawn: that oil exploration activities in Akwa Ibom State has affected the people and their agricultural production as the people are no longer engaged in their normal farming activities due to soil infertility caused by frequent oil spillage and gas flaring in the region; oil exploration and production affected the people health status and their live span as they directly inhale the poisonous chemicals released into the environment by oil companies through gas flaring and oil spillages; that most environmental laws initiated by the past and present Government has not achieved its set goals and objectives of protecting the Niger Delta environment from pollution and degradation due to corruption, lack of political will and political intrigues due to the fact that most political elite in the country have a stake in the oil industry. Based on the findings of the study and the conclusions drawn, it was recommended among other things that: oil companies operating in the region should step up monitoring, repair and replacement of pipeline through both human and machine aided system, strict modification and implementation in the current regulatory framework of oil spillage and gas flaring, and a holistic approach to the environment in terms of planning, development and management of land resources.
International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research
ABSTRACT: The exploration and production of petroleum and its subsequent transportation and distribution in the Niger Delta have led to pollution of aquatic habitats with serious threats to associated flora and fauna. Consequently, most studies have concentrated on the effects of crude oil and its products on aquatic flora and fauna, with little emphasis on the socio-economic environment. Evaluation of the effects of petroleum exploration and production activities on the social environment in Ogoni land of Rivers State is the main focus of this study. Therefore, in order to fill this gap, there is the need to investigate the effects of crude oil spills on the socio-economic environment, including the livelihoods of people. This is done by; examining the impact of intensive resource exploitation on the social environment of the oil producing communities in Ogoni land which has further degraded the environment to the peril of the inhabitants. Also to examine how the Oil and Gas Multin...
Environmental Impacts of Oil Exploration and Exploitation inthe Niger Delta of Nigeria
Problem Statement : Oil exploration and exploitation has been on-going for several decades in the Niger Delta. It has had disastrous impacts on the environment in the region and has adversely affected people inhabiting that region. The Niger Delta consist of diverse ecosystems of mangrove swamps, fresh water swamps, rain forest and is the largest wetland in Africa and among the ten most important wetland and marine ecosystems in the world, but due to oil pollution the area is now characterized by contaminated streams and rivers, forest destruction and biodiversity loss in general the area is an ecological wasteland. This affects the livelihood of the indigenous people who depend on the ecosystem services for survival leading to increased poverty and displacement of people. The oil industry located within this region has contributed immensely to the growth and development of the country which is a fact that cannot be disputed but unsustainable oil exploration activities has rendered the Niger Delta region one of the five most severely petroleum damaged ecosystems in the world. Studies have shown that the quantity of oil spilled over 50 years was a least 9-13 million barrels, which is equivalent to 50 Exxon Valdez spills.
Research Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Management Vol. 10(1), pp. 001-011, July, 2021
The economic livelihood of the inhabitants in the coastal areas predominantly depends on fishing, peasant farming and trading. Fishing and agriculture can best be practiced in an environment devoid of environmental pollution, disruption of ecosystem and environmental degradation. Crude oil exploration is characterized with environment degradation, deforestation and disruption of the existing ecosystem. This paper examined crude oil exploration by the multinational oil companies and its implications on socioeconomic development of oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria. It is designed to investigate the effects of crude oil exploration by the multinational oil companies on the ecosystems and socioeconomic activities of people in oil producing regions of Akwa Ibom state. Co-relational survey research design of mixed method of data collection was employed. Purposive sampling technique and accidental sampling technique with the aid of a research instrument titled "Impacts of multinational oil companies on socioeconomic development questionnaire" (IMOCSEDQ) was adopted to select 100 residents in each community of three local governments (Esit-Eket, Ibeno and Eastern Obolo) and 5 workers from each of major international oil companies (Exxon Mobil, Shell, Total and Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited-EPNL) by this paper. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) were used for data analysis. The paper revealed that crude oil exploration has serious negative consequences on the socioeconomic activities of people in oil producing regions of Akwa Ibom state. Positive, moderate significant relationship existed between crude oil exploration and the ecosystem of oil producing areas in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria r = (59), 0.000, P< .05. Also positive, moderate and significant correlation was found between crude oil exploration and socioeconomic activities of people in oil producing areas of AkwaIbom state, r = (47), 0.000, P<.05. In accordance with the above findings, the following recommendations are made: International oil companies should configure, run and preserve all facilities and infrastructure and retore polluted environment to their original state. Adequate compensation should be paid to their host communities in lieu of loss of socioeconomic activities.
Asian Research Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 2019
Background of Study: Petroleum exploration has generated over 90 percent revenues to the Nigerian government, and as such the nation pays all her liabilities from the sales of petroleum products. Nigerian’s mono economy mostly based petroleum exploration, has brought a lot of sufferings to the people in the region where the oils are being drilled from. The people of Isoko Local Government Area (LGA) has suffered from the environmental pollution and devastation of their lands as a result of oil exploration activities for many years now, especially from numerous oil installations of the operating oil companies. This study examines the vulnerability of the local communities to these oil installations. Materials and Methods: The study employed the use of questionnaire to acquire data relating to the vulnerability of communities to oil installation in Isoko LGA in Delta State. 600 copies of questionnaires were administered to the residents of the chosen communities using a simple random sampling technique which gives room for equal chance of any of the resident to be chosen in the study area. Descriptive statistics was used to explain the frequencies of the variables in terms of their percentage. Results of the analysis were presented using tables, bar charts, hazard maps, among others. Results: it was revealed that the vulnerability to oil installation is high in the Isoko LGA, thereby leading to a high rate of environmental degradation in these communities. Conclusion: it is concluded that end the suffering of the people to oil installations, the operating oil companies should pay special attention to needs of their host communities and proactive to any possible hazard that might have results from oil installation. The government should enforce the environmental laws that protect the environment and ensure that the multinational oil companies adhere strictly to them.
Impact of Oil Pollution on Niger-Delta Communities in Nigeria: A Review
2019
The oil industry in Nigeria has contributed immensely to the ec onomic and infrastructural growth of the country. Oil producing communit ies in the Niger-Delta have however complained that they have not been part of this development rather their land and rivers are being pollute d. This paper examined the impact of oil pollution on Niger-Delta communiti es. The major causes of oil spillage in the region include equipment failure and pipeline vandalization. Oil spills affect the physical and chemical properties of land and water which reduces farming and fishing activ ities. This results in low food production, food shortage, loss of income, pove rty and hunger. There is contamination of drinking water and water for othe r domestic uses. Other effects of oil pollution include loss of biodiversity and ill health caused by ingestion and inhalation of hydrocarbons. The iss u s of control of oil pollution should be taken more seriously by the government an d oil companies. The various go...
International Journal of Advanced Research and Publication, 2018
The aim of this paper was to examine the community understanding of the environmental and socioeconomic consequences of petroleum exploitation in Ogoni, Rivers State. To achieve this aim, the objectives were to determine the level of community awareness to environmental issues and how these communities understand the consequences of pollution on their environment. The survey design method was employed. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 21 oil bearing communities from the four Local Government Areas of Ogoniland. The data were collected using unstructured interviews, focus group discussions, oral testimonies and questionnaires. Transcriptions, rewriting and coding were employed in data analysis, except for the questionnaires which adopted descriptive statistical methods. Results showed that the level of community awareness to environmental issues is very high, as they accessed vital information about their environment through different sources on a regular basis. The results further revealed that majority of the respondents are very knowledgeable on the environmental consequences of pollution to their environment and health; but decided to stay in it and fight for freedom. The resultant effect is that the Ogoni environment has become tense and hot with a lot of bitterness and violence like a lifestyle. It is therefore recommended that with the increasing level of environmental pollution in Ogoniland; the necessary laws on environmental protection should be adequately enforced against further pollution of the environment, and immediate environmental remediation should be carried where pollution has occurred.
Environmental Impact of Oil Exploration in Nigeria: A Case Study of Nembe Local Government
Nigeria's economy has relied heavily on oil exploration for many years. The Niger Delta region's ecology and communities have, nevertheless, been significantly impacted by oil exploration and production. These effects include water and land contamination, a loss of biodiversity, and risks to public health. In-depth examination of the environmental impact of oil exploration in Nembe Local Government, Bayelsa State, is examined in this paper. It is based on a review of the literature in the field as well as interviews and surveys with people of the impacted communities. The research technique included statistical analysis of the data gathered, content analysis of the documents, and document analysis. According to the report, severe contamination of land and water caused by oil drilling in Nembe Local Government has decreased agricultural production and wiped-out aquatic life. The use of hazardous chemicals in oil extraction procedures has further exacerbated the environmental effects, putting the surrounding population at risk for conditions like cancer, respiratory illnesses, and skin irritations. In addition, wildlife habitats have been destroyed and biodiversity has been lost as a result of oil spills and pipeline vandalism. Actions to be taken to lessen the environmental impact of oil exploration in Nembe Local Government by the Nigerian government and oil exploration corporations include the application of best environmental practices in oil exploration, the use of non-toxic chemicals in oil extraction procedures, and the provision of adequate compensation to impacted populations for their loss of livelihoods and the degradation of their environment. In Addition the government should put in place strong regulatory frameworks to oversee oil exploration firms' operations and hold them accountable for any environmental harm they may cause. It suggests that using land treatment technology, there should be a strong environmental restoration of natural resources.
Polluted Environment Due To Oil Exploration And Exploitation In The Niger Delta
The harnessing of crude hydrocarbons in the Niger Delta have devastated the Niger Delta environment. So many years of neglect have brought to the fore, (he need to consider ways 0/ protecting the environment/rom further degradation. The resultant environmental damages have necessitated a clamour for compensation that will restore the well-being of the inhabitants of the region to their expected standard of living. In several instances, this clamour has resulted in conflicts between the oil-bearing and producing communities on the one hand and the oil and gas prospecting companies on the other hand. Compensation for the damages to the environment has been very controversial. This paper seeks to highlight the steps that needs to be considered when preparing a claim for environmental damages, resulting from oil production activities. Using oil palm tree as an example, it is shown that ({II evaluation of a polluted land must reflect an analvsis of the various possible uses that (/11.1' economic tree/crop involved. can be put. It is contended that only such analysis will throw UI' the true value that is lost due to pollution. It concludes bv highlighting the various possible subheads of claim that should be considered in evaluating a polluted environment.
2018
The aim of this paper was to examine the community understanding of the environmental and socio-economic consequences of petroleum exploitation in Ogoni, Rivers State. To achieve this aim, the objectives were to determine the level of community awareness to environmental issues and how these communities understand the consequences of pollution on their environment. The survey design method was employed. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 21 oil bearing communities from the four Local Government Areas of Ogoniland. The data were collected using unstructured interviews, focus group discussions, oral testimonies and questionnaires. Transcriptions, rewriting and coding were employed in data analysis, except for the questionnaires which adopted descriptive statistical methods. Results showed that the level of community awareness to environmental issues is very high, as they accessed vital information about their environment through different sources on a regular basis. The r...