The Impact of Oil Spillage on Agricultural Production: a Case Study of Ibeno Local Government Area, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria
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UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE MASTERS DEGREE IN DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT MINI DISSERTATION THE IMPACT OF OIL SPILLAGE ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION: A CASE STUDY OF IBENO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, AKWA-IBOM STATE, NIGERIA SUPERVISOR: MR A.J. JORDAAN DIM 791 STUDENT: ASOYA SANDRA IFUNANYA 2007039775 NOVEMBER 2010 I THE IMPACT OF OIL SPILLAGE ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION: A CASE STUDY OF IBENO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, AKWA IBOM STATE NIGERIA BY ASOYA SANDRA IFUNANYA Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree MASTERS IN DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT (MDM) In the DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT TRAINING AND EDUCATION CENTRE FOR AFRICA (DiMTEC) FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE BLOEMFONTEIN SOUTH AFRICA II DECLARATION I, Sandra Ifunanya Asoya, with student Number: 2007039775 declare that this Research Dissertation is my own work and that it has not been submitted for any award at any other University. Signature: ……………………………………………………. Date: …………………………………………………………… III ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The task of realizing this dream of making my “vision a mission” was not one that was achieved single-handedly, rather, some important people contributed to its success. I wish nonetheless to recognize some of them by reason of the enormity of their contributions. Firstly, I wish to express my profound gratitude and thanks to God Almighty who has been my sufficiency in all things and has brought me to a safe berth. The researcher is indebted to the course lecturer, Mr. Andries Jordaan, as well as the entire staff of the Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC) at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, for their dedication and continuous guidance in the process of completing this report. The researcher is most indebted to her husband Dr S. C. Nwanze, whose morale and magnanimity has made her stay at The University of the Free State, and this report, a huge success and also most especially to my lovely children, Gemma Adaobi Nwanze and Pascal Nnabuife Nwanze, for their understanding. IV DEDICATION To the loving memory of my mother, Mrs M.G.A. Asoya, for her exemplary sacrifice, love and foresight. V ABSTRACT The research project attempted to investigate the impact of oil spillage on agricultural production: A case study of the Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. The research work was carried out in selected villages (Upenekang, Mkpanak, Iwoachang, and Inua Eyet Ikot), within the community of study. This research study was a combination of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Personal interviews, Observation and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were the qualitative research methods that were employed in collecting data. In addition, Questionnaires were the primary quantitative instrument employed in collecting data from the one hundred and fifty (150) subjects chosen by the researcher for the study. However, after analyzing and interpreting the collected information and literature, the researcher discovered that the oil spillage that occurred in Ibeno LGA, was mostly as a result of pipeline vandalization. The reasons for this were due to poor compensation from oil companies to the host community, for the massive reduction in agricultural returns, mostly from crop production. This had been caused by the said oil companies, who had taken over the community’s farmlands and used them as dumping grounds for their equipment and machinery, causing massive destruction. Appropriate tables and figures were utilized in analyzing the data collected. It was therefore concluded that oil spillage had given rise to unproductive soil, thereby killing the people’s interest in agricultural activities, particularly crop cultivation and fishing. It also came to light that the oil spillage had affected the socio-economic activities of the people, thereby inducing an antagonistic relationship between the oil companies and the host community. However, some general recommendations were made which were directed to the host community, the oil companies and the government of federal republic of Nigeria. Further recommendations were given directly to the oil companies and the government respectively. The first major recommendation that was made was that a permanent Disaster Management Institution should be established in this area, as none has ever existed there previously. This step is important because the area (Ibeno LGA) is mostly affected by chemical hazards. The establishment of such an institution in this area will help to establish a specific disaster plan for the area. The second recommendation was directed specifically to the oil companies and stated that community participation and involvement should be considered in matters affecting the community and that they should ensure transparency with regard to the payment of VI compensations, gifts and contracts that are awarded to the community. This is particularly important as it was the major cause of the vandalized pipeline, unrest and disharmony within the community, mostly among the youths and elders. The third recommendation was directed to the Nigerian Government suggested that they should undertake a review of laws and policies affecting the relationship of oil companies with their host communities, which ought to include the Land Use Act, EIA Decree and Petroleum Production and Distribution Act, as well as other relevant laws. Another important point would be to ensure that all relevant bodies respect human rights in their operations or in their various activities. VII TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ................................................................................................................................. III ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................................... IV DEDICATION ....................................................................................................................................... V ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................................... VI TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................. VIII LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................................. XII LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................................... XIII LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ..................................................................... XIIIV DECLARATION ................................................................................................................................. III ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................................... IV DEDICATION ....................................................................................................................................... V ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................................... VI TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................. VIII LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................................... XIII LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS .........................................................................XIV CHAPTER 1 .......................................................................................................................................... 1 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.1. Projected Rate of Production / Consumption in the World ....................................................................... 3 1.1.1. CRUDE OIL IN NIGERIAN CONTEXT ............................................................................................................ 7 1.2. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY AREA .........................................................................................................12 VIII 1.3. PROBLEM DESCRIPTION ...........................................................................................................................15 1.4. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE...............................................................................................................................19 1.5. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY ...................................................................................................................19 1.6. RESEARCH QUESTIONS ...........................................................................................................................20 1.7. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY ....................................................................................................................21 1.7.1. TRANSPORTATION .................................................................................................................................. 21 1.7.2. TELECOMMUNICATION ........................................................................................................................... 21 1.7.3. LANGUAGE BARRIER...............................................................................................................................21