Effects of Oil Spillage on Community Development in the Niger Delta Region: Implications for the Eradication of Poverty and Hunger (Millennium Development Goal One) in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper assessed the effects of oil spillage on community development in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria with a view to determine its adverse effects on poverty and hunger and its eradication in the region. The concepts of oil spillage, community development, poverty and hunger were reviewed. To effectively assess the effects, three research questions were formulated and analyzed. The instruments used for data collection were the questionnaire, focus group discussions and observation. The face and content validity was tested and also the reliability. Research assistants were used to administer the 15 items questionnaire while the focus group discussions and observations were done by the researchers. The data was analyzed using percentages and weighted mean. The modified likert scale was used to assign values and criterion mean of 2.50 to analyze the research questions. The results of the study showed that the causes and effects of oil spillage were the same in the oil producing states; poverty in the community caused by oil spillage has led to environmental degradation; poverty rate is still on the increase due to poor health as the children are malnourished; the rate of youth unemployment is high and there is no evidence of the national food security in the communities. Thus, achieving millennium development goal one is still a mirage in this region. It will take the efforts of the oil companies, government and community members to institute control measures on oil spillages.

A multi-attribute methodology for the prioritisation of oil contaminated sites in the Niger Delta

“…Unable to produce their own food, individuals have been forced to seek alternative nutritional options (Elum et al, 2016), which has proven difficult given the economic circumstances of individuals reliant on agricultural production (Okoli and Orinya, 2013;Oyebamiji and Mba, 2013).…”

Impact of Oil Pipeline Transportation and Vandalization on Economic Development in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

“…Many of the communities have continued to lament under the destructive impacts of the spills brought about by vandalization which has caused monumental destruction to the farmlands and streams in the communities, subjecting the inhabitants of the affected local communities to deprivation and dejection. Adekola and Igwe's [22] conclusion that "the impact of the pollution has directly or indirectly led to the death of several people owing to the enormous toxic effects and hazards inherent in its dispersal to the marine ecosystem is also true of communities in Ikwerre LGA". It has had a huge devastating impact on the marine environment by causing severe damage to vegetation and reducing their growth [23], all of which further impact economic development in Ikwerre LGA in the negative.…”

Analysis of the Relationship Between Environmental Degradation of Oil Companies and Economic Growth of Nigeria

“…Oyebamiji & Mba assessed the effects of oil spillage on community development in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria with a view to determine its adverse effects on poverty and hunger and its eradication in the region [42]. The concepts of oil spillage, community development, poverty and hunger were reviewed.…”