Economic Marginalisation in Some Selected States in the Niger Delta.

Abstract

This paper examined the issue of economic marginalisation in some selected states in the Niger Delta. The issue of economic marginalization of the Niger Delta peoples of Nigeria appears to have got worse as a result of discovery of the “black gold” called petroleum in Olobiri (1956) in commercial quantity.  The objectives of this study are to examine the effects of economic marginalization on the Niger Delta and to proffer possible solutions.

This study addressed the following research questions: is the existence of oil and the presence of oil companies responsible for the economic marginalization of the Niger Delta? Is the lopsided Fiscal Federal structure the cause of economic marginalization of the Niger Delta?

The study utilised primary data of information sourced through structured and unstructured questionnaires that were administered to the respondents using random sampling method.

The findings from the study revealed that the lop-sided fiscal structure, pollution and degradation as a result of oil spill, as well as the minority status of the Niger Delta are responsible for the economic marginalisation of the people.  It is recommended that employment opportunities should be provided for the youths so that they would no longer be idle and thereby be a ready instrument for violence. Also, the multinational oil companies should apply internationally acceptable standards on the issue of environment.

Keywords: economic marginalization, niger delta, fiscal policy, pollution, oil companies