The impact of oil industry-related social exclusion on community wellbeing and health in African countries

"Economic exclusion and the health and wellbeing impacts of the oil industry in the Niger Delta region: a qualitative study of Ogoni experiences"

BACKGROUND

When managed effectively, oil wealth can drive economic development and improve wellbeing. Conversely, as has been the experience in Ogoniland in the Niger Delta, the presence of the oil industry can lead to environmental degradation and social and economic vulnerabilities with negative impacts on health and wellbeing. Few studies have explored the experiences and perceptions of these impacts among residents of host communities themselves.

METHODS

This qualitative study explored Ogoni residents' experiences and perceptions of oil-industry related economic exclusion and associated impacts on health and wellbeing. In-depth interviews with 22 participants from four Local Government Areas (LGAs) were analyzed with open (inductive) coding. Guided by constructivist philosophy, interpretation of emerging themes was informed by the concept of social exclusion which recognizes that multi-dimensional processes can deprive individuals or groups of resources, rights, goods, and services, thus limiting broader societal participation.

RESULTS

Findings highlight the exclusionary impacts of the oil industry at the intersection of i) damaged livelihoods and family income, that increased economic vulnerability and reduced participants' ability to meet basic needs including ability to pay for healthcare; ii) lack of progress on environmental remediation and non-transparent benefit sharing schemes that exacerbate economic displacement and contribute to ongoing exposures to air and water pollution; and iii) insufficient of investment in economic development and essential health services, limiting employment opportunities and ability to access adequate healthcare.

CONCLUSION

Addressing these issues requires integrated policy interventions focusing on equitable resource distribution, environmental restoration, and inclusive economic development to promote sustainable community resilience.

A systematic review of the impacts of oil spillage on residents of oil-producing communities in Nigeria

Oil spillage is common in oil-producing communities of Nigeria, and it impacts negatively on the residents of these communities. This study analysed available research data on oil spillage incidents in these communities to determine their main causes and impacts on the residents. This study highlights the immediate and long-term consequences of oil spills on residents of oil-host communities in Nigeria. A systematic review of published studies was carried out, and 22 studies were identified from the literature search. The main causes of oil spills were identified as sabotage (87%), leakage from corroded pipelines (62%), and equipment failure (45%). Others were mystery spills and operational failures. Unemployment, abject poverty, marginalization, and inaction of government regulatory agencies are enabling factors for sabotage and vandalism of oil pipelines. It was found that exposure to oil spills impacts directly and indirectly on residents of oil-host communities, with accompanying health, socioeconomic, and environmental implications. Oil spills in these communities impact on all facets of their life, thereby infringing on their rights to existence and survival. The major interventions were targeted at improving health services, education, infrastructure, skill acquisition, and employment. These in turn reduced the occurrence of violence, insurgency, and human trafficking in the oil-producing communities. It is recommended that government regulatory agencies should be revamped and repositioned to effectively perform their duties. Interventions should be targeted at addressing the causes of agitation by indigenes by involving them in the decision-making process. Also, appropriate remediation strategies should be adopted to clean up the oil spills.