Author(s) :   Eliot Igbikiminachin Kalio¹, Dr. Doreen Kobani²

Abstract : The study examined the impact of illegal crude oil refining on socio-economic development in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the study is 2,098. This comprises 98 leaders and 2000 members of registered community based organizations in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State. The sample size of the study was 395 respondents comprising 90 leaders and 305 members of registered community based organizations in the study area. The instrument for data collection in the study was a self-designed questionnaire titled “Impact of Illegal Crude Oil Refining on Socio-Economic Development Questionnaire”. Reliability coefficients of 0.82 and 0.88 were obtained for the two clusters of the instrument. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the responses to the research questions. The findings of the study revealed amongst others that illegal crude oil refining impacts on economic development in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State by leading to loss of marine life, businesses, reduced investments and increased poverty level occasioned by increased cost of living. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended amongst others that the Federal Government should establish modular refineries in the Niger Delta. This will increase economic development in the area, deal with the shortfalls in refining of crude oil in Nigeria and reduce poverty in the region.

Keywords: Crude Oil, Socio-Economic Development, Illegal Crude Oil Refining.

DOI : 10.61161/ijarcsms.v12i7.51

Pages : 151-157

*Authors are invited to submit papers through E-mail at editor.ijarcsms@gmail.com