Assessment of Public Health Risks Associated With Oil and Gas Production. a Case Study of Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objective of the study is to ascertain the public health risks associated with oil and gas production Warri South local government. The specific objectives are;
- To find out the perceptions and lived experiences of the villagers of Warri South local government regarding the effect of oil and gas pollution on their physical health
- To find out the perceptions and lives experiences of the villagers of Warri south local government regarding the possible effect of oil and gas pollution on their mental health
- To find out the effect of oil and gas pollution on the environment of Warri South local government
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
In 2012, a gas wellhead explosion on the Chevron KS Endeavor occurred in the Funiwa oil field, off the coast of Koluama, Nigeria (Chevron, 2012). The explosion created a fire that burned for 46 days, furthering the environmental damage to an area already damaged by years of oil-related degradation (Environmental Rights Action, 2012). The delta region of the Niger River has been the site of many oil accidents because of transportation, vandalism, and leaky pipes (Akpomuvi, 2011). Together, these activities have had dire, environment-related health consequences for the inhabitants of the region. Existing studies throughout the world on oil spills, explosions, leaks, and fire damage include investigations of the resulting environmental, health, and socioeconomic effects (Akhakpe, 2012; Odoemene, 2011). The related damage of oil pollution is well known, as researchers have studied the environmental havoc caused by oil spills in general, especially in the Niger River delta (Jibiri & Amakom, 2010; Linden & Palsson, 2013; Nduka & Orisakwe, 2011). Few researchers have explored the physical health consequences of environmental degradation caused by oil spills and fires in the Niger Delta region (Aroh et al., 2010; Ordinioha & Brisibe, 2013; San Sebastian & Hurtig, 2004); however, the effect of oil-related environmental damage on the mental health of the region’s inhabitants has received little research attention. Further, few studies exist regarding how oil pollution specifically affects the villagers of Koluama. This phenomenological study filled this gap in the literature by providing an investigation of 15 the perspectives and lived experiences of local villagers in Koluama, Nigeria, related to the physical and mental public health consequences of oil pollution. This chapter begins with a description of the search strategy used to locate literature for this review. I follow with a discussion of the conceptual framework. I dedicate the bulk of this chapter to a comprehensive review of the relevant literature regarding the health consequences of oil-related activities, such as oil spills, gas flaring, and pipeline damage. When possible, I focused the review on the health of villagers residing in the Niger Delta region; however, because the available literature is limited, studies on the consequences of oil-related pollution in other regions of the world are also included.
Chapter Three
Research methodology
Research Design
The research design adopted in this research work is the survey research design which involves the usage of self-designed questionnaire in the collection of data. Under the survey research design, primary data of this study will be collected from selected residents in Warri South local government in order to determine public health risks associated with oil and gas production. The design was chosen because it enables the researcher to collect data without manipulation of any variables of interest in the study. The design also provides opportunity for equal chance of participation in the study for respondents.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
This chapter is about the analysis and presentation of data collected from the field through questionnaire. The analysis of the data with particular question immediately followed by the presentation of findings.
As mentioned in chapter three, 63 questionnaires were administered and 50 were retrieved and necessary analysis was carried out on them and presented as follows:
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain assessment of public health risks associated with oil and gas production. Using Warri South local government area of Delta state as a case study. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of assessment of public health risks associated with oil and gas production.
Summary
This study was on assessment of public health risks associated with oil and gas production. Using Warri South local government area of Delta state as a case study. Three objectives were raised which included: To find out the perceptions and lived experiences of the villagers of Warri South local government regarding the effect of oil and gas pollution on their physical health, to find out the perceptions and lives experiences of the villagers of Warri south local government regarding the possible effect of oil and gas pollution on their mental health and to find out the effect of oil and gas pollution on the environment of Warri South local government. The total population for the study is 75 selected residents in Warri South local government area of Delta state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
Prior to the current investigation, little research had been conducted on the potentially hazardous physical and emotional effects of oil-related pollution on the inhabitants of the Niger Delta region. This study addressed a significant gap in the research by investigating the lived experiences and perceptions of Warri South local government’s villagers related to the physical and mental health consequences of environmental pollution caused by oil activities. Data analysis revealed two main themes of mental effects and physical effects. The subthemes of physical effects included children’s health, illness, lack of care, and death. The subthemes of mental health included worry/anxiety and fear/depression. Findings from this investigation were largely reflective of findings from previous researchers on the effects of exposure to oil-related environmental degradation; however, significant differences were noted in the effects experienced by individuals in first- and third-world nations. Although significantly more research is needed to create a better understanding of these effects, this study provided a foundation for future investigation.
Recommendation
In the event of an oil spill, trained individuals should be available to help contain the spread of the effects, regardless of whether the spill occurs in a developed nation or an undeveloped one. Slow responses result in environmental degradation that may be impossible to reverse. Thus, research is needed to develop a protocol for best practices to quickly contain spills and provide residents with the economic and healthcare assistance they require. Similarly, it is important that the legal obligations of oil companies be enforced to prevent accidents, as well as to provide cleanup efforts in the wake of accidents. Only one participant had ever been employed by an oil company, and prior to the investigation, he had been terminated from his position for conduct. Another was a contractor with Chevron at the time of the investigation. Both of these participants, who had personal experience working for Chevron, felt the oil companies, should help local communities in the Warri South local government by employing villagers and involving them in meetings between the communities and the oil companies. Thus, participant responses indicated that community participation in the governing of oil activities and operations of spills had not been accomplished. Community stakeholders’ participation in oil activities in the region may improve environmental conditions among the Niger Delta villages that is, individuals employed by the oil companies, and who call the Niger Delta their home, are more likely to have a vested interest in enforcing environmental protection policies to safeguard the health of local inhabitants. Similarly, community members’ participation in meetings and dialogue with oil companies could help hold oil company leaders accountable for their obligations to the environment and to the health of inhabitants of the Niger Delta regions where oil companies are active. The onus of retribution should also be on oil companies, and an open dialogue with the Niger Delta inhabitants may encourage that. For example, fishermen whose livelihoods have been eroded due to oil related environmental degradation must be provided with support to help them develop alternative income sources. Policymakers and elected officials need to make changes and take action to remedy the wrongdoings committed by oil companies in the Niger Delta. In addition to improving the dialogue between villagers and the oil companies, employment of locals by the oil companies could help to improve the economic situations of the Niger Delta inhabitants. Results from this investigation indicated that one of the greatest barriers to physical and mental health among Warri South local government’s villagers was the lack of economic resources to access healthcare, fresh food, clean water, and sanitary living environments. For example, the extreme poverty among the villagers, increased through the activities of the oil companies, prevents villagers from accessing healthcare. Further, the cost of living in the area has escalated due to the presence of multinational oil companies whose workers are paid very high wages compared to the livelihoods earned by the indigenes of the Niger Delta. The presence of oil companies in the region encourages escalating housing costs and goods through the principle of supply and demand. By employing local, the oil companies could help Warri South local government’s villagers earn the money needed to make improvements to their health and living situations. Also, in proposing specific policy changes for managing the coastal resources, results from the current study should be considered, which indicated the community had poor access to basic amenities such as potable water, health facilities, and basic sanitation services. Their daily living patterns revolve around the availability of coastal natural resources, such as fish and fuel wood. When it came to environmental concerns, issues of safe drinking water, food, and sanitation were most important to respondents. Results from this investigation provided awareness to the pressing health and mental health related problems and encourage future research on ways to improve villagers’ access to healthcare.
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