ABSTRACT
The study assessed the activities of ASOPADEC among rural communities in Abia State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, ascertained the extent to which ASOPADEC carried out her activities, ascertained the contribution of ASOPADEC towards community development, determined the perceived effect of ASOPADEC activities on the livelihood of beneficiaries, and ascertained the perception of the respondents towards ASOPADEC activities. The population of the study comprises of all the rural households in the oil producing areas of Abia State. Multistage sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 150 respondents using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage and means and inferential statistics such ordinary least square regression analysis were used in analyzing the data. Results indicated that mean ages of the respondents was 37.5 years. Majority (78.0%) of the respondents were married with a mean household size of 5 persons. The mean monthly income was N57,503. The result revealed that ASOPEDEC activities were moderately carried out in the study area mostly in facilitating skill acquisition (x̅ = 3.86), provision of educational supports (x̅ = 3.53), and rehabilitation of markets (x̅ = 3.18). The result showed that ASOPADEC contributed mostly in rehabilitation of existing infrastructure in the area (x̅ = 3.18), facilitating the delivery of equipment and rehabilitation of health centres, mobile health, clinics (x̅ = 3.02). The result also showed that the effect of ASOPADEC was most prominent in youth development via skill acquisition (x̅ = 3.37), infrastructural development (x̅ = 3.31), and providing education for children through scholarship scheme (x̅ = 3.25). The result of the ordinary least square regression analysis showed that the coefficient of offering of scholarship (4943.598), youth and women empowerment (6455.393), facilitating skill acquisition (6224.787), and educational supports (9708.075) were positively and significantly related.to livelihoods status of respondents at 5%, 1%, 5%, and 1% level of significance respectively. The result also showed that the coefficients of sex (6.2582), education (0.0487), and income (4.53E-07) were significantly related to respondents’ perception regarding performance of activities of ASOPADEC at 1% significant level. The study conclude that ASOPADEC activities have moderately contributed to the infrastructural development as well as the livelihoods of the participating communities. It was recommended that Abia state Government should provide all vital financial and logistics support to ASOPADEC to enable her carry out her activities more effectively in Abia state. ASOPADEC should commit more attention and resources towards providing infrastructural facilities in the rural communities and demonstrate concerted efforts to enhancing the development of the communities in the study area.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Title
Page i
Declaration ii
Certification iii
Dedication
iv
Acknowledgement
v
Table of Contents
vi
List
of Tables viii
List
of Figures ix
Abstract x
CHAPTER
1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of
the Study
1
1.2 Statement of Problem
3
1.3 Research Questions
6
1.4 Objectives of the Study
6
1.5 Hypotheses
6
1.6 Justification
of the Study
7
1.7 Scope
of the Study
9
CHAPTER
2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Oil Exploration and Exploitation in
Nigeria 10
2.2 Consequences of Oil Exploration and
Exploitation on the Host Communities 13
2.3 Poverty in the Niger Delta Region 16
2.4 Effects of Oil Production on the
Socio-Economic Condition of the Rural Dwellers 19
2.5 The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
26
2.5.1
The NDDC mandate
28
2.6 Abia
State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) 29
2.7 Theoretical Framework 32
2.7.1
Conflict formation theory 34
2.7.2
Conflict transformation theory 35
2.7.3
Conflict management theory 36
2.7.4
Compromise theory 37
2.8 Conceptual
Framework 37
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY
3.1
The study Area 40
3.2
Population of the Study 41
3.3
Sampling Procedure 41
3.4
Data Collection 42
3.5
Test of Validity of Instrument 42
3.6
Reliability of Instrument 42
3.7
Data Analysis 43
3.8
Measurement of Variables 43
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1
Socio-economic Characteristics of the Respondents 48
4.1.1
Gender 48
4.1.2
Age 48
4.1.3
Marital status 49
4.1.4
Household size 49
4.1.5
Farming experience 50
4.1.6
Cooperative membership 50
4.1.7
Level of educational attainment 52
4.2
Extent to which ASOPADEC Carried Out Her Activities in the Study Area 52
4.3
Perceived Contribution of ASOPADEC Activities to Community Development 53
4.4
Effect of ASOPADEC Activities on the Livelihood of Beneficiaries 55
4.5
Hypotheses Testing 57
4.5.1
Hypothesis 1 57 4.5.2
Hypothesis 2 59
4.5.3 Hypothesis 3 61
CHAPTER 5:
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1
Summary 63
5.2
Conclusion 65
5.3
Recommendations 66
References 68
Appendices 73
LIST OF TABLES
2.1 Incidence of Poverty in the Niger
Delta, 1980-2004 18
4.1 Distribution of responses according to
their social economic characteristics 51
4.2
Distribution of respondents on the basis of their perception on the extent to which ASOPADEC activities were carried out
in the study area 53
4.3
Distribution of responses according to perceived contribution of ASOPADEC activities to community
development
54
4.4
Distribution of responses according to effect of ASOPADEC activities on livelihood of
beneficiaries 56
4.5 Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimate of
relationship between socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and
their perception of the activities of
ASOPADEC in the study area 58
4.6
Ordinary least square regression estimate of the relationship between ASOPADEC activities and its effect on
the livelihood of the respondents 60
4.7
Ordinary least square estimate of relationship between ASOPADEC activities and level of
community development 62
LIST
OF FIGURE
2.1 Conceptual framework of the study 39
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Considering the Niger Delta region's sensitive and fragile
ecosystem and in spite of the vast resource endowment, its immense potential
for socio-economic growth, and its contribution to the development of
Nigeria, the oil producing areas of the Niger Delta remain increasingly under
threat from rapidly deteriorating economic and environmental
conditions, as well as socio tension (Omorede, 2014). Matters have remained the
same today, while some critics would say it's worsened (ANEEJ,
2014). The perception within the oil communities is that of
state negligence, while valuable ecosystems, which the people rely
on for their livelihood are devastated and this example has
generated into violence, which subsequently deepens the people's resentment and
their alienation (Ololajulo, 2006).
Inspite of the damaging impact of oil exploitation on the
environment and livelihood of the host communities, scientific data
on the long-term effects of oil exploitation on the
realm are only commencing to emerge (Human Rights Watch, 1999;
Nwachukwu, 1999; Aluko, 1999; Okonta and Gouglas, 2001; Onosode, 2003). The
current population of Nigeria in 2021 is 211,400,708. Nigeria is African's
largest oil producing country, and it's the eleventh largest
producer and therefore the eight largest exporter
of oil within the world.
In 2006, Nigeria boring averaged approximately 2.45
million barrels of oil per day, and therefore the government expects
oil reserves to grow to 40 billion by 2015 (Egunjobi, 2005; Imobigbe, 2004).
Nigeria contains the most important gas reserves in Africa (176
trillion cubic feet) and is global player within the production of
liquefied gas (Watts 2008). Beyond vast oil and gas deposits, the
region is blessed good agricultural land, extensive forests,
excellent fisheries, and an outsized labour force. But juxtaposed
against the potential for economic process and sustainable
development are deteriorated economic and social conditions that have largely
ignored by contemporary policies actions (Jonathan, 2004).
Abia established the Abia State Oil
producing Area Development Commission (ASOPADEC) in order to ameliorate the
suffering of the people living in oil producing communities in Abia State. Some
of the functions of ASOPADEC as contained in the law include to receive and
administer executively 30% of the 13% oil derivation fund accruing to the state
for purposes of rehabilitation and development of oil producing areas and
communities in the state including manpower and carrying out other development
projects as may be determined by the commission from time to time. ASOPADEC was
established in July, 2009.
The primary mandate of ASOPADEC is to
provide intervention services and projects which are meant for improving the
living conditions of the people in the oil producing areas as well as collaborating
with other interventionist agencies in order to curtail disasters arising from
exploitation and exploration in the oil producing areas (ASOPADEC Information
Brochure, 2009). ASOPADEC provides services to the people of the oil producing
areas. Owing to the activities of oil exploration, the people are exposed to
several forms of environmental degradation which leads to economic deprivation
and pollution of the soil and water ways which consequently results in the
unwholesome outcome of farm produces, health and physical challenges amongst
women, children and the elderly all as a result of the exploration of oil and
gas in these communities. ASOPADEC was created to look into such areas and then
provide basic amenities and in most cases palliatives to the people.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The petroleum industry is the
backbone of the Nigerian economy accounting for over 90% of Nigeria's total
foreign exchange revenue. Nigeria is that the seventh largest
producer within the world and also the largest in Africa.
Current daily production of fossil oil in Nigeria is over 2 million
barrels, most of it's produced from the prolific Niger Delta region.
(Wifa, 2015).The Niger Delta Region as noted above, produces the oil wealth
that accounts for the majority of Nigeria's foreign earnings,
paradoxically, however these vast revenues from a world industry
have barely touched the Niger delta's
own pervasive local poverty (Wifa, 2015).
By
the 1980s, developments within the oil producing communities clearly
reflected deprivation of its inhabitants, who demonstrated resistance
against the government and its producing agencies (Onuekwusi, 2006).
The Niger Delta today could be a place of frustrated expectations and
deep-rooted mistrust, unprecedented restiveness from time to
time erupts violence. Long years of neglect and conflict have fostered a
siege mentality specifically among youths who feel they're condemned
to a future without hope and see conflict as a method to
flee deprivation. (Wifa, 2015). In line with World
organization Development Project-Niger Delta Human Development report
(2006), the report reveals that though the Niger Delta has
been endowed with abundance of physical and human resources, the
realm suffers from declining economic performances resulting
in rising unemployment, the shortage of access to basic
necessities of life like water, shelter, food and clothing. Despite the areas
vast reserve, the people in the region remains poor. Its education levels are
below the national average and are particularly low among women. While 76% of
Nigerian children attend primary schools, this level drops to 30% in some parts
of the Niger Delta. Other devastating dimensions of the state of the
realm is that only one-fifth of rural housing is taken into
account physically sound.
Water
borne diseases are considered common: Water related diseases represent a
minimum of 80% of all reported illnesses within the region
(World Bank, 1995). Electrification (despite enormous energy resource) is poor:
so are water and sanitation. Energy availability is poor in a
very region that has one-fifth of the energy needs of
the U.S. The region must import fuel despite producing over two
million barrels of fossil oil per day. There's almost a
complete lack of roads in a very region whose wealth is funding
gigantic infrastructural development in other parts of Nigeria and expensive
peacekeeping activities in other parts of Africa. (World Bank, 1995).This has
inevitably had some negative impact on the host communities.
Odey
(2010) further confirmed that the oil development in oil producing areas has
dramatically changed the host communities and brought challenges to the
traditional, economic, cultural and conditions of the rural dwellers. Although
crude oil production has boosted Nigerian's economy, the trickle down effects
are hardly felt by ordinary members of the host communities. Instead of sharing
in the benefit of the oil sector, the local communities are mainly suffering
the negative impact from this development (Odey, 2010). Oil exploration and
exploitation has been perceived as a curse for the people of the Niger Delta
including Abia State. They have suffered environmental devastation, economic
poverty, and constant conflict.
To exacerbate the situation,
political thought and covetousness with respect to degenerate government
authorities have kept a large number of the income from these huge stores from
coming back to the oil delivering regions to help reestablish the area (Bisina,
2004). Reactions of Governments to the apparent underestimation of the district
have come about to the setting up of the Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB)
in 1961, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA) in 1976, Oil and
Mineral creating Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) in 1992 and the Niger
Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in 2000.
These agencies according to the
report did not make any meaningful impact on the lives and environment of the
Niger Delta people mostly because the people were not sufficiently represented
in the activities of the agencies. Experience has shown that any attempt at
rural development which tends to exclude the people from understanding what is
happening from participating in reshaping their way of life and from benefiting
in the gains of the development process is unlikely to work or succeed. (Nwosu,
2007).
The Abia State Government in order to
ameliorate the suffering of the people living in the oil producing areas in the
state and to address the issue of the region established ASOPADEC. So far,
there has been no in -depth assessment conducted to assess the activities of
the agency in the state in order to determine its efficiency and effectiveness.
Similarly,
there is a gap of information on the effects of ASOPADEC in the living
conditions of people of Abia State. This study therefore was conceived to
assess the activities of ASOPADEC in the Oil producing communities in Abia
State.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research questions
guided the conduct of this study
i.
What are the
socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents in the study area?
ii.
To what extent did
ASOPADEC carry out related activities to its mandate in the oil producing
communities in Abia State?
iii.
What are the contributions of ASOPADEC towards
community development in the State?
iv.
What is the perceived
effect of ASOPADEC activities on the livelihood of beneficiaries?
v.
What is the perception of
the respondents towards ASOPADEC activities in
the study area?
1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The broad objective of the study was to assess the
activities of Abia State Oil producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC)
among the rural communities in Abia State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of
the study were to:
i.
describe the
socio-economic characteristics of the respondents in the study area;
ii.
ascertain extent to which
ASOPADEC carried out her activities related to its mandate in the study area;
iii.
ascertain the
contribution of ASOPADEC towards community development;
iv.
determine the perceived
effects of ASOPADEC activities on the livelihood of beneficiaries.
1.5 HYPOTHESES OF THE
STUDY
HO1:
The activities of ASOPADEC in the study area did not have any significant
effect on the livelihood of the respondents.
HO2:
Activities of ASOPADEC in the study area did not have any significant effect on
the level of development of rural communities of the respondents
HO3:
Socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents did not significantly affect
their perception of the activities of ASOPADEC by the respondents in the study
area.
1.6 JUSTIFICATION
This study serves to assess ASOPADEC
activities among rural communities.in Abia stateA study of this nature is
therefore necessary to provide empirical data on the social and economic
condition of the oil producing communities and Abia State at large. This study
will assess the aids and gains of the rural dwellers in the light of the
activities of ASOPADEC in their area (Oil Producing Communities).
Furthermore, the study will assess
the activities of ASOPADEC on the rural dwellers in the study area is in tandem
with the terms of reference as contained in its stated objectives. This study
will serve as a base for improved Government intervention plans/programmes
through the provided information base that we will generate.
So, far, no in depth assessment of
the influence of (ASOPADEC) activities have been conducted to determine the
effectiveness of the program on the oil producing of Abia State. Additionally,
the study will identify possible areas of weakness in the commission, adduce
reasons why the weakness exist and suggest proven recommendation for dealing
with them. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the commission and improve its
effectiveness. This work will also measure ASOPADEC progress per objective of
the commission.
-
Measure her achievements based on objectives
- Improve monitoring for better result
- Identify strength and weakness to strengthen
the commission and to allow for better planning
-
Help improve effectiveness for the commission in terms of
change/differences/impact made on the lives of the people
-
General information for planning for activities and management of the
commission
-
Provide room for sharing experience to avoid making similar mistakes and
learning from success and imposing experiences to have a better impact.
The study is of immense assistance to
the rural development and excision works, community leaders, NGO's,
Multi-national companies, volunteers, international organizations and all other
persons and authorities directly or indirectly concerned with the assessment of
rural development programmes. This study contributed to knowledge in the area
of rural development; provided relevant qualitative data and supportive
literature for future studies.
It is a reliable reference material
to students, scholars and researchers involved in related or similar research
work. Finally, the study provoke further research on the subject, which
addressed any perceived gaps left unfilled here.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study covered only oil producing
communities in Abia State. It was specifically focused on assessment of the
activities of Abia State Oil producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC)
among the rural communities in Abia State,
The
study was carried out in two (2) Local Government Areas (LGAs) namely Ukwa West
and Ukwa East (the core oil producing areas in the state). The sample was drawn
from these two LGAs in the state. Consequently, the scope of this study is
limited to the fulfillment of its stated specific objective
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