Environmental degradation and community response to eco system invasion in delta state
Department of Security and Strategic Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
Review Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2022, 16(02), 858-869
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2022.16.2.1256
Publication history:
Received on 13 October 2022; revised on 18 November 2022; accepted on 21 November 2022
Abstract:
Delta State has long been facing many environmental challenges, mainly from oil exploration activities by the multinational companies which have, to a large extent affected the ecological environment of the State. This study examines community response to environmental degradation in Delta State. The study specifically examines the influence of environmental degradation on communal conflict and pipeline vandalism. Survey research design was employed. Three oil-producing communities were sampled for this study. They are Ebedei in Ukwuani local government area, Uwheru in Ughelli North local government area and Esama in Bomadi local government area, representing the three senatorial zones of the State. Ukwuani local government area has a population of 119,034, Ughelli North local government area with a population 320,687 and Bomadi local government area has a population of 86,016. The total population of these three local government areas is 525,737. Based on Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) table for determining sample size, for a given population of 525,737, a sample size of 400 would be needed to represent a cross- section of the population. The study employed simple percentages as the technique of data analysis and it revealed that conflicts in oil producing communities in Delta State are reflective of the extent of the environmental degradation in that area. The study also showed that pipeline vandalization is caused by youth restlessness resulting from the economic hardship in Delta State. The study concludes that environmental degradation is fuelling communal conflicts and pipeline vandalism in Delta State. The study recommends that the State government need to embark on programme and projects that have direct bearing on the people of the region. The study also recommends that the multinational corporations operating in the region need to address seriously their corporate social responsibility to host communities.
Keywords:
Communal Conflict; Community Response; Environmental Degradation; Pipeline Vandalism
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