The Dynamics of Sustained Environmental Resource Crisis in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: A Theoretical Periscope

Abstract

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria witnessed a remarkable upsurge in environmental resource crisis as a result of the presence of oil multinationals in the region. The mass media flash before the public a vivid and multi varied images of violent behaviour that characterized social interactions in the region. The youths in the Niger Delta whose occupational aspirations are blocked due to persistent hydrocarbon extraction in their region resorted to violent behaviour as a rational response to the monumental deprivation and marginalization by the multinational oil companies and their accomplice in the Nigerian state. The paper adopts George Homan's social exchange theory in providing understanding for the sustained environmental resource crisis. The paper argues that the sustenance of youth violent oriented behaviour is a natural outgrowth of the social exchange relationship that exist between people of oil bearing communities and the various actors in the hydrocarbon extraction companies. The paper suggests the options of real fiscal autonomy for the federating units, resource control, creating employment and skill acquisition scheme for the displaced youths as mitigation measures to curb the age long environmental resource crisis in the Niger Delta.

Economic Evaluation of Crop Farms Acquired for Crude Oil Production Activities in Rivers State of Nigeria

“…Enemugwem (2009) in the study of how oil pollution damaged human ecology in eastern Obolo (Andoni LGA) in Rivers State observed that oil pollution had not only degraded the human values but had adverse effects on the flora and fauna, traditional economies and social practices of the people in the area, increased poverty, food contamination and lack of security of human life. This view was supported by Ogege and Ewhrudjakpor (2009) who said that the Niger Delta region of Nigeria had witnessed a remarkable up surge in environmental resource crisis as a result of the presence of oil multinationals in the region.…”