Crude oil, women and the environment: a case study of Delta state of Nigeria

Abstract

The study of effects of petroleum pollution on the general environment with peculiar relevance to women in Delta State was carried out for a period of nine months, by using structured questionnaire and personal observations.

The study was basically focused on women of all age groups and generalized all sources of pollution in the area. Among all, oil spillage to the rivers, streams, and farmlands (44.8%) was most rated, while other sources like fish (62.1%), and effect their occupational status that is based on peasant farming (33.7%) and fishing (52.1%). However, there is high significant effect (P<0.05) of the sources of pollution to the environment related tow omen livelihood in the area. While responses to the effect were in form of cooperative (2.3%), individual (2.1%), the oil companies compensation (41.9%) and sometimes government assistance (33.2%).

It was therefore suggested that women should be given advantage of both formal and informal education, adequate supply of funds in form of loan, with other amenities such as good source of water, alternatives to fishing and farming to alleviate the poverty conditions that oil spillage had caused.