ABANDONED OIL WELL AND THE RISKS OF INTERCOMMUNITY CONFLICTS IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION, NIGERIA

Intercommunity conflicts have been prevalent in many communities in Niger Delta since late 1990s. Most researchers tend to attribute this problem to poverty, electoral malpractices and state corruption. While these issues may have influence on intercommunity conflicts in many communities in the region, little quantitative and qualitative research has been conducted and published on the impacts of abandoned oil wells in relation to intercommunity conflicts in the region. This paper examines the impact of abandoned oil wells on the environment, economic and socio-cultural lives of Oloibiri people where petroleum crude oil was first discovered in Nigeria and produced in commercial quantities in 1956. The study adopted the purposive sampling techniques. Primary and secondary data were obtained from seventy participants through structured questionnaires, semi structured interviews and literature reviews. Data were analyzed using statistical method and the results are presented in charts. The results obtained show majority of respondents (59%, 57% & 49%), indicating that abandoned oil wells are major sources of environmental, economic and social conflict in Oloibiri respectively. Nonetheless, opportunities exist to reduce the risk of conflict escalations. The paper concludes with strategic recommendations. The commendations could be adopted and applied to tackle similar circumstances in other oil producing communities in Niger Delta.