| The purpose of this study was to investigate the phenomenal impact of oil and gas exploration on the host communities, with a central focus on the people of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. The results of the study suggest that while the people of the Niger Delta Region may have benefited from oil and gas exploration, the adverse economic, environmental, health, social, urbanization impacts of the operations outweigh the benefits. However, despite the overwhelming negative responses to the survey questions, 67.5% of the respondents would still prefer that the oil companies change the way they conduct business rather than close operations or leave. The observed desire is somewhat surprising. Only about one in ten participants stated that they would prefer no oil and gas exploration in the region.The study used survey questionnaire targeted to focus group consisting of University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, students. Response data were gathered, and both descriptive and inferential statistical methodologies were used to analyze and test the hypotheses.The study made recommendations that would possibly address the environmental pollution issues, and at the same time ease the resentment and the sense of oppression of the Niger Delta communities by the government and oil producers. Given the results of the survey which indicated high level of negative impact in all aspects (environmental, economic, health, social, and urbanization), it is concluded that the actual economic impacts of oil and gas exploration on the people of the Niger Delta Region greatly differ from the phenomenal impacts generally known by the public about oil and gas exploration. |
