Conflict and Development of Oil Producing States: Empirical Reflections on Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

8 Pages Posted: 6 Dec 2012

See all articles by Patrick Akpan

Patrick Akpan

Nnamdi Azikiwe University - Department of Business Administration

Mercy Offiong

University of Uyo - Department of Forestry and Wild Life, Faculty of Agriculture

Orogbu Obiageli

Nnamdi Azikiwe University - Department of Business Administration

Enemuo Ujunwa

University of Uyo - Department of Forestry and Wild Life, Faculty of Agriculture

Date Written: December 5, 2012

Abstract

Scarcity and abundance of natural resources have been greatly acknowledged as agents capable of generating conflict, struggle for access to control and use of natural resources such as forest, water, pastures, land and mineral resources. Thus, conflict between the oil producing Niger Delta region of Nigeria and the oil companies operating in this region has significant implications on the development pattern and trends of the area. Specifically, conflict in Niger Delta which arose in the early 1990s over tension between oil companies and a number of host communities who felt exploited and cheated has damaging and devastating impact on these communities. The situation has continued in recent times and includes vandalization of oil pipe lines, high incidence of poverty in the midst of plenty, environmental, social and economic deterioration. This paper therefore serves as a report of an empirical investigation on the impact of conflict on the development of oil producing Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The methodology in this study captures three equations specified in order to test the linkage between conflict and the development of oil producing states. The result reveals a high degree of the effects of conflict on the development of Niger Delta region as basic infrastructural facilities are inadequate. The indicators of environmental, economic and political deprivations are enormous. This study therefore advocates adequate compensation and provision of basic infrastructural facilities to the host communities in line with peace education and dialogue as preventive strategies. Where these are treated with a wave of the hands, these deplorable conditions are capable of igniting the flames of more chaos in the area.

Keywords: Conflict, Communities, Development, Education, Preventive

Suggested Citation

Akpan, Patrick and Offiong, Mercy and Obiageli, Orogbu and Ujunwa, Enemuo, Conflict and Development of Oil Producing States: Empirical Reflections on Niger Delta Region of Nigeria (December 5, 2012). OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 5, No. 5, pp. 111-118, 2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2185533

Patrick Akpan (Contact Author)

Nnamdi Azikiwe University - Department of Business Administration ( email )

Enugu-Onitsha Expressway
PMB 5025
Awka, DE Anambra State 234
Nigeria

Mercy Offiong

University of Uyo - Department of Forestry and Wild Life, Faculty of Agriculture ( email )

Ikpa Road
P.M.B. 1017
Uyo, AK Akwa Ibom State 1234
Nigeria

Orogbu Obiageli

Nnamdi Azikiwe University - Department of Business Administration ( email )

Enugu-Onitsha Expressway
PMB 5025
Awka, DE Anambra State 234
Nigeria

Enemuo Ujunwa

University of Uyo - Department of Forestry and Wild Life, Faculty of Agriculture ( email )

Ikpa Road
P.M.B. 1017
Uyo, AK Akwa Ibom State 1234
Nigeria

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
151
Abstract Views
649
Rank
350,945
PlumX Metrics