Oil Exploitation and Conflict in the Kegbara Dere Community in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between oil extraction and conflict in local communities in Ogoni with particular emphasis on the activities of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in the Kegbara Dere community, Nigeria. It adopted the frustration-aggression theory as its framework of analysis to explain how the nature of oil exploitation fuels environmental and social conflicts. Interviews of community members in Kegbara Dere complemented the information from textbooks which accounted for the sources of data in this work. The study concluded that the extractive activities of SPDC in the Kegbara Dere community adversely affected the lives, livelihoods and environment of the people. The findings are that oil spillage and degradation were the major causes of conflict in the Kegbara Dere community. The study also found that the struggle by political factions within Kegbara Dere for control of traditional authority structures to control the ongoing environmental clean-up programme is another source of conflict in the community. It therefore recommended a more realistic approach and cooperation from the community to support the ongoing Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) clean-up programme. The political factions in the community should also resort to dialogue in the resolution of disputes and live peacefully while carrying out their legitimate tasks.