ABANDONED OIL WELL AND THE RISKS OF INTERCOMMUNITY CONFLICTS IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION, NIGERIA
Abstract
Intercommunity conflicts have been prevalent in many communities in Niger Delta since late 1990s. Most researchers tend to attribute this problem to poverty, electoral malpractices and state corruption. While these issues may have influence on intercommunity conflicts in many communities in the region, little quantitative and qualitative research has been conducted and published on the impacts of abandoned oil wells in relation to intercommunity conflicts in the region. This paper examines the impact of abandoned oil wells on the environment, economic and socio-cultural lives of Oloibiri people where petroleum crude oil was first discovered in Nigeria and produced in commercial quantities in 1956. The study adopted the purposive sampling techniques. Primary and secondary data were obtained from seventy participants through structured questionnaires, semi structured interviews and literature reviews. Data were analyzed using statistical method and the results are presented in charts. The results obtained show majority of respondents (59%, 57% & 49%), indicating that abandoned oil wells are major sources of environmental, economic and social conflict in Oloibiri respectively. Nonetheless, opportunities exist to reduce the risk of conflict escalations. The paper concludes with strategic recommendations. The commendations could be adopted and applied to tackle similar circumstances in other oil producing communities in Niger Delta.
Zenodo DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14540002
Keywords
Abandoned oil wells, environment, economic, intercommunity conflicts, oil companies, Niger DeltaHow to Cite
References
Authority. B. (2021). Blue carbon ecosystems: Sources, threats and implication for climate change in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria. International journal of scientific and research publications, 11 (3).
Augustine, I. (2005). The Economy of Conflict in the Oil Rich Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Nordic journal of African studies, 14(2), 208–234.
Aniefiok, E. I., Udo J. I., Margaret, U. I., and Sunday, W. P. (2013). Petroleum Exploration and
Production: Past and Present Environmental Issues in the Nigeria’s Niger Delta. American journal of environmental protection, 1(4), 78-90.
American Association for the Advancement of Science –AAAS (2021). Benefits of safely managing orphaned oil and gas wells. AAAS-EPI-Center_Factsheet_Oil-Gas-Wells. Retrieved from www. aaas.org/programs/epi-center/management-of-wells
Amnesty International (2009). Nigeria: petroleum, pollution and poverty in the Niger Delta.
Retrieved from http://web.amnesty.org
Aaron, K. K. (2005). Perspective: big oil, rural poverty, and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Journal of agricultural safety and health, 11(2), 127-134.
Authority, B. (2020). Social and environmental drivers of climate change vulnerability in the Niger Delta region. European journal of environment & earth science.
Ajao, E. A. & Anurigwo, S. (2002). Land based sources of pollution in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. A Journal of the human environment, 31(5), 442-445.
Amnesty International (2011). The true ‘tragedy: delays and failures in tackling oil spills in the Niger Delta. Retrieved from http://web.amnesty.org
Aluko, M. A. (2001). Sustainable Development, Environmental Degradation and the Entrenchment of Poverty in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Journal of human ecology, 15(1), 63-68.
Beloveth, O.N. (2015). The politics of conflict over oil in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria: A review of the corporate social responsibility strategies of the oil companies. American journal of educational research, 3(4), 383-392.
Bradstock, F. (2021). The impacts of abandoned oil wells on the environment. Retrieved from https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/The-Impact-Of-Abandoned-Oil-Wells-On-The-Environment.amp.html
Czesaw, R. Tadeusz, S. & Bogumi, W. (2015). Threats to the environment in the areas of abandoned extraction of hydrocarbon deposits. AGH drilling.oil.gas, 2, 1.
Cathy, B. (2021). Why its so hard and expensive to plug an abandoned oil well. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/business-environment-and-nature-climate-change-7392636504b2763de07ff4b3fe78710e
Eweje, G. (2006). Environmental costs and responsibilities resulting from Oil exploitation in developing countries: The case of the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Journal of business ethics, 69 (1). 27-56.
Elwerfelli, A. & Benhin, J. (2018). Oil a blessing or Curse: A comparative assessment of Nigeria, Nor-way and the United Arab Emirates. Theoretical economics letters, 8, 1136-1160
Elias, E. C. (2007). Social deprivation and political militancy in Gbaramatu clan, Warri Southwest LGA, Delta State, Nigeria. Institute of international studies working paper, No. 15.
Edo, I. & Albrecht, E. (2021). Threats to Niger-Delta Wetlands: A case study of Apoi Creek forest. Open journal of ecology, 11, 136-147.
Ekine, S. (2005). Women’s responses to state violence in the Niger Delta. Journal of feminist Africa, 10, 67-84.
Human Rights Watch (2002). The Niger Delta: No democratic dividend. 14, 7 (A). Retrieved from www.hrw.org/africa/nigeria.php
Iwebuke, E. and Eike, A. (2021). Threats to Niger Delta wetlands: A case study of Apoi Creek forest. Open journal of ecology, 11, 136-147.
Inoni, O.E., Omotor, D.G. & Adun, F.N. (2006). The effect of oil spillage on crop yield and farm income in Delta State, Nigeria. Journal of central European agriculture,7 (1), 41-8.
Iyenemi, I.K., Utchay, A. O., Francis, M. & Sheriff, E.I. (2014). New compensation systems and mechanisms in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282905344_New_Compensation_Systems_and_mechanisms_in_the_Oil_and_Gas_Industry_in_Nigeria?enrichId=rgreq86c7c658a33806c8cabf03dd42f89458XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzI4MjkwNTM0NDtBUzoyODU0MTYwNDIzMTk4NzRAMTQ0NTA1OTg5NTcyNw%3D%3D&el=1_x_2&_esc=publicationCoverPdf
Ibaba, S.I. (2008). Alienation and militancy in the Niger Delta: Hostage taking and the dilemma of the Nigerian State. African journal on conflict resolution, 8(2), 11-34.
Jike, V.T. (2004). Environmental degradation, social disequilibrium, and the dilemma of sustainable development in the Niger-Delta of Nigeria. Journal of black studies, 34,(5) 686-701.
Jacinta, N.C., Edward, A.O. & Yahaya, B.A. (2012). Foraminiferal biostratigraphy and depositional environment of Oloibiri-1 well, Eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of geography and geology, (4), 4.
Jeff, T. (2021). Millions of leaky and abandoned oil and gas wells are threatening lives and the climate. Retrieved from https://www.nrdc.org/stories/millions-leaky-and-abandoned-oil-and-gas-wells-are-threatening-lives-and-climate
Jeff, D.M. (2010). Gulf awash in 27,000 abandoned wells. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/wbna38113914
Kabari, S. Frederic, C. & George, P. (2017). Management of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sites in Nigeria: Current challenges and future direction. Land use policy.
Kate, H. (2009). Regional inequality and the Niger Delta. Policy brief, 5.
Musa, A.H. (2018). Conflicts in the Niger Delta: Analysis of Causes, Impacts and Resolution Strategies. Thesis. Coventary University. Retrieved from https://pureportal.coventry.ac.uk/en/studentthesis/conflicts-in-the-niger-delta-analysis-of-causes-impacts-and-resolution-strategies%28cf8a9737-30d4-4155-a797-3cc7f0c6730e%29.html
Nsemba, E. L. (2018). Political Economy of Ungoverned Space and Crude Oil Security Challenges in Nigeria’s Niger Delta. Central European journal of international and security studies, 12(1) 32–58.
Nseabasi, A. (2005). Conflicts in Nigeria’s Niger-Delta: Issues on Response and Management. International journal of social sciences, 4 (1), 161-175.
Nwankewo, B. O. (2017). Conflict in the Niger Delta and corporate social responsibility of multinational oil companies: An assessment. Thesis. University of Derby.
Obia, A., (2010). The effect of industrial air–borne pollutants on the durability of galvanized iron roofs in the tropical humid region of Nigeria. Global journal of environmental sciences, 8(2), 89-93.
Omofonmwan, S. I. & Odia, L. 0. (2009). Oil exploitation and conflict in the Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria. Journal of human ecology, 26(1), 25 – 30.
Okonta, I. (2006). Behind the Mask: Explaining the Emergence of the MEND Militia in Nigeria’s Oil-Bearing Niger Delta. Niger Delta: Economies of Violence. Working paper, 11.
Omotola, J.S. (2006). The next gulf? Oil politics, environmental apocalypse and rising tension in the Niger Delta. African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Dispute (ACCORD), Occasional paper series, 1(3), 1-31.
Okpuri, C. O. & Ibaba, S. I. (2008). Oil induced environmental degradation and internal population displacement in Nigeria's Niger Delta. Journal of sustainable development in Africa, 10),1.
Obi, C. I. (2010). Oil extraction, dispossession, resistance, and conflict in Nigeria’s oil- rich Niger Delta. Journal of development studies, 30(2), 219 – 233.
Philip, E.A. (2015). The dilemma in Nigerian petroleum industry regulations and its socioeconomic impact on rural communities in the Niger Delta. International journal of management Science, 2, 84-92.
Sampson, C. O. & Okechukwu, S. A. (2022). The Nigerian State and Development in the Niger Delta Region. World journal of advanced research and reviews,14(01), 125–133.
Sokari, E. (2008). Women’s responses to state violence in the Niger Delta. Feminist Africa 10.
Tosan, S.N.E. (2010). Oil pollution management and environmental assessment in the Niger Delta: A case study of operations of Chevron Nigeria ltd in Ugborodo community in Delta State of Nigeria. College of agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
United Nations Environment Programme – UNEP (2011). Environmental assessment of Ogoni land. Retrieved from www.unep.org/nigeria
United Nations Development Programme (2006). Niger Delta Human Development report.
Vanguard Newspaper (2016). 60 Years after Nigeria’s First Crude.
Retrieved from ttp://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/03/60-years-after-nigerias-first-crude-oloibiri-oil-dries-up-natives-wallow-in-abject-poverty/
Watt, M. (2009). Crude politics: life and death on the Nigerian oil fields. Institute of International Studies, University of California, Berkeley, U.SA.
World Bank (2003). Nigeria Poverty-Environment Linkages in the Natural Resource Sector.” Africa Environment and Social Development Unit. World Bank Institute.
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Charles Oyibo, Lawal Femi Mark Africas, Ebimoboere Osoru-Jenkins, Aderonke Perpetua Ajama, Authority Benson
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.