ABSTRACT
Crisis in the oil producing area, occasioned by the consistent demand for equity by host communities from both government and oil producing companies pose some grave dangers to security and development of the economy and the industry. Complains of the host communities ranges from environmental abuse and devastation evident in oil pollution of land and aquatic ecosystem; to damages of the naturally existing socio-political structure, desecrating sacred traditional places and deities to poor socio-economic development.
However, the fact that various regimes have made effort at mapping out strategies coupled with programs designed purposely for the oil producing areas in addition to the general development routinely planned, emphatically confirms that government recognizes the plight of these areas and acknowledges that there is more to ordinary development here. Oil operatives have also tried in either cash or in kind to ameliorate the negative impact of their activities on the people. Inspite of the effort by government and oil operatives and other agencies over the years, the oil producing communities tends to remain poor, deprived and underdeveloped.
The demand for equity and the concern for the people’s plight prompted this study. The study, therefore, assesses the socio-economic development levels of two selected oil producing communities (Afiesere and Ofuoma). The study realizes among its findings that there exist environmental problems associated with oil exploitation which is hard felt on the productive capacity of the people’s land and water resources.
The study also realized that although roads, electricity, running water etc are necessary for development, but they have not been sufficient to dislodge poverty from these communities.
Several recommendations were given in line with the findings amongst which includes improving the relationship between oil producing operatives and local communities, revival of the local fish farming in these area, ensuring full participation of local people in needs and programmer identification and implementation and prompt cleanup operation where oil spillage inevitably occurs. The research involves questionnaire survey, GPS survey, interviews and some focus group discussion.
