THE IMPACT OF THE LIQUEFIED NIGERIAN GAS (LNG) ACTIVITIES ON OCCUPATIONAL CHANGES IN GBARAIN- EKPETIAMA CLANS, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the impact of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas company’s activities on the occupational changes in the Gbarain-Ekpetiama Clans’ communities. The idea was identify any visible development and appraise the level the LNG activities has contributed to the overall development of both Clans. To achieve this, 160 copies of a structured questionnaire were purposively distributed within four communities in Gbarain-Ekpetiama clans. Results obtained revealed that 76.5% of those surveyed have lived in both area over 10 years. On occupational change, quite a number of residents (21% and 15%) were observed to have been engaged in the private sector and trading respectively, whereas a significant percentage of residents were unemployed prior the advent of the LNG project. However, with the advent of the LNG project in 2004, 75% of residents say their occupations remained intact. Only a few (18.5%) are employees of the LNG Company. Spearman’s Rank Correlation analysis result on the hypothesis further confirmed the LNG activities have caused certain changes in the occupations of residents in both clans. Other minimal benefits accorded the communities by the presence of LNG include: electricity, minor roads/ walk-way, water and an increased income generating opportunities. Based on these it was recommended that the LNG Company should employ more qualified graduates as staff to reduce the level of unemployment in the area. The LNG company should continue to evaluate their activities to ensure they comply by global best standards and from time to time make plans to improve in their CSR.