ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF OIL EXPLORATION: STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE REGENERATION OF THE NIGER DELTA

The Niger Delta has been immensely subjected to huge environmental, social and economic (ESE) challenges arising from oil exploration and production. Despite being blessed with abundant natural oil and gas resources, the region possesses some of the lowest developmental indices known in the modern world. To many, the negative outcomes rendered by crude oil exploration and production in the region have outweighed the positive contributions culminating in the absence of visible sustainable development. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to explore the impacts of the oil exploration activities with a view to recommending practical strategies for the regeneration of the region. The study adopted a mixed method research approach to gain an in-depth insight into the Niger Delta crisis and obtained primary data using 15 semi-structured interviews and 262 questionnaires which were administered to government ministries, departments, agencies, key leaders of the affected communities and representatives of oil producing companies operating in the area. Participant selection during both surveys was based on residency in the area, knowledge of the oil industry and experience of the impacts of industry-related operations. Findings from the study revealed that the Niger Delta is plagued by colossal environmental, social and economic challenges that must be addressed for any meaningful and sustainable development to occur. The degradation of the environment - which included pollution of lands, water systems and the air quality - has negatively impacted the biodiversity and caused irreversible damage to the built environment and sustainable development goals of the communities. Consequently, the paper recommended some notable solutions for the ESE regeneration of the area which included total environmental cleanup and remediation of the polluted water bodies and farmlands, economic empowerment, diversification of the local economy away from oil, accelerated energy transition to sustainable renewables, policy reforms, strict regulatory compliance and enforcement regimes.