Understanding Fishermen Attitude and Factors Influencing Oil Spillage in Biseni Community of Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Background: Oil spillage is a global issue that has been occurring since the discovery of crude oil, which was part of the industrial revolution. The volume of oil spillage in the ocean, sea, river through human activities is estimated to range from 0.7 – 1.7 million tons per year in Niger Delta region. This study assessed the attitude towards oil spillage among fishermen in Biseni community of Bayelsa State. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Biseni community of Yenagoa LGA. Three hundred and fifty-eight respondents were selected from the community using systemic random sampling technique. A semi- structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data entry was carried out using SPSS version 16. Results: Three hundred and thirty-eight (94.4%) of the respondents identified corrosion due to soil factors as a major cause of oil spillage, 84.1% attributed oil spillage to unemployment, 86.3% sabotage by surveillances contractors and 85.2% by pipeline vandalism as factors responsible for oil spillage. Majority of the respondents (98.0%) identified water pollution as the major effect of oil spillage on aquatic life. Three hundred and forty-seven (96.9%) of the respondents identified health problem and mainly skin rash (32.0%) as the major effect of oil spillage on fishermen while other effect include reduction in income (95.5%). Perceived justification of respondents for oil spillage include unemployment (91.9%), increasing the rate of kidnapping (79.6%), lack of compensation (80.4%), relocation (35.8%), driving people away from their original settlement (91.9%) and buying of water for drinking and domestic uses (70.4%). Conclusion: Biseni community has experienced serious degradation due to oil exploitation and exploration activities that has resulted in oil spillage. Oil spillage has caused displacement of people, involuntary migration, destruction of wildlife and biodiversity, loss of fertile soil, Pollution of drinking water, degradation of farmland and damage to aquatic lives, all of which have caused serious health problems to the fishermen. It was also confirmed from the respondents that they were not compensated for the damage of their farms and water for fishing.