DOI: 10.36347/sjebm.2014.v01i08.002

Pages: 361-366

The study examined the impact of oil pollution on socio-economic life in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, with the aim of assessing the effects of oil pollution on socio-economic life of the inhabitants of Udu Area in Delta State. Eighty (80) structured questionnaires was generated to obtain response from forty (40) farmers from the crude oil polluted communities and forty (40) farmers in the non-polluted communities, in order to compare the socioeconomic impact of oil spill on oil polluted communities and non-polluted communities. The communities that were selected in oil polluted communities are (Ukpiovwin and Oghior) and two from the oil polluted communities are (Owhrode and Egini) which served as control site for comparison. The questionnaires were administered through a systematic random sampling techniques to every first farmer, after each five buildings in each quarter. The result from the analysis revealed that oil pollution has effects on socio-economic life of the inhabitants of Udu Area in Delta State. And the result from the t-test analysis showed t value of 4.258, indicating significant effects of oil spillage on inhabitants of Udu Area in Delta State. The study further recommended mopping up exercise, payment of compensation and enlightenment programmes by the oil companies to the host communities.