ABSTRACT
Although positive prospects of oil exploration activities are good for a country's economy, it has its substantial share of negative effects. Oil exploration and subsequent exploitation is known to have created adverse effects on the environment globally while also destabilizing economies especially when cultural and social concerns are not properly addressed. Many previous studies focused on the social impacts of exploitation of natural resources without seeking to establish to what extent these variables affect the economy and the societal social fabrics. This study set out to explore the impact of oil and gas exploration on socio-economic and environmental aspects of people living in Opolo-Epie in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The basic objective of this study is to examine the environmental and socio-economic impact of oil and gas exploration on the lives of the people of Opolo—Epie community. The specific objectives included the following: to determine the impact of oil and gas exploration on the socio-economic activities of the people in the area; to examine the extent of environmental degradation in the area; to expose the dangers inherent in the exploration of oil and gas in the area; and to seek possible ways of improving the socio-economic activities of the people in the area.
The ecological systems theory provided the theoretical framework for the study. The theory enabled the explanation of how the environment and the activities that go on in it can influence and cause certain behavioral changes among the people who reside I the environment. With the aid of structure questionnaire, and through the stratified random sampling technique, 240 respondents participated in the study.
The study found that oil and gas exploration impacted greatly on the socio-economic life of the people in the areas of unemployment, reduced fish catch from lakes, swamp-pools and ponds, loss of traditional knowledge, practices and cultures; increase in corruption/co-optation of different actors; militarization and increased police presence; and human rights. Also, it was found that the dangers of oil and gas exploration were in the form of seeding the clouds with acid rain, pollution of surface water, soil pollution and loss of to a very large extent landscape/biodiversity. Furthermore, it was found that environmental degradation caused by exploration were in the form of severe and excessive flooding of forest and farmlands destroying food and forest crops was a negative impact of oil and gas exploration on the land; contamination; and breathing disturbances. All the respondents submitted that stopping the routine flaring of gas, levying heavier fine, jobs, and vibrant advocacy would improve the socio-economic activities of the people in the area. There was statistical significant relationship between loss of landscape/ biodiversity, and loss of livelihood of the people.
In conclusion, oil and gas exploration in the area has cause more harm to the socio-economic life of the people than good through gas flaring and oil spills. It is recommended that gas flaring should be stopped forthwith, that adequate cleaning of location of oil spills be embarked upon, and that the people be compensated with business capital and jobs
