SOCIO-CULTURAL EFFECTS OF OIL EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION ON THE ECOLOGY; A STUDY IN KAINE AGARY'S YELLOW-YELLOW

1.1 Introduction

The oil exploration and exploitation industry which is majorly centred in the Niger Delta region is without doubt currently the most important earner of foreign exchange to the Nigerian economy. The Niger Delta is best known as a region that sustains much oil exploration and exploitation by the agents of western economic powers. The Niger Delta basin is considered the mainstay of the Nigerian economy for its significantly high level of oil reserves. The region is also naturally endowed with viable deposits of hydrocarbon and gas reserves. It was discovered that severe environmental degradation has been inflicted on the oil bearing communities of the Niger Delta as a result of oil spillages and other factors to the extent that economic activities in the area have been adversely affected leaving the people completely impoverished, with no meaningful alternative source of livelihood.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Since then exploration and exploitation of crude oil has resulted in environmental degradation, soil impoverishment, pollution, loss of aquatic life and biodiversity etc. This study reveals that the causes of the crises in the Niger-Delta region is sequel to the inability of the multinational companies involved in the explorations and exploitation of crude oil, and the federal government to adequately mitigate the consequences of their activities in the region. The history of oil exploration in Nigeria dates back to 1903 when Nigerian Bitumen Corporation conducted exploratory work in the country, at the onset of World War I the firm‘s operation were stopped (Ikejiaku, 2009). Due to the lack of technological and financial resources by small oil companies, large oil companies took over the exploration of commercial oil in the country (Essaghah, 2008).

The company began exploratory work in 1937. The consortium was granted license to explore oil all over the territory of Nigeria but the acreage allotted to the company in the original license was reduced in 1951 and then between 1955 and 1957. Stakeholders’ participation critical decision making was visibly absent, thus creating doubts in the credibility of even the best and well-intended policy of the principal actors in the oil industry, thereby compounding the already pitiable situation. To address the current challenges of the Niger Delta and effectively guaranteed peace and economic growth of the oil bearing communities, it is, therefore, the aim of this study to articulate the concern of the Christians which in the first place, advocate a deliberate and practical policy whereby the people will be fully integrated in the scheme of things especially when certain policy decisions are being taken. Secondly, a system should be created whereby a reasonable chunk of the oil proceeds are judiciously applied towards a guaranteed economic development and empowerment of the people. The plight of women in the Niger Delta region is indeed pathetic. Agary’s Yellow-Yellow is a literary enterprise whose main thrust is to expose further the socio-economic predicament of the people as well as explore the debilitating effect of poverty on the feminine psyche.

The history of oil exploration and production in the Niger Delta is a long, complex and often painful one that to date has become seemingly intractable in terms of its resolution and future direction. It is also a history that has put people and politics and the oil industry at loggerheads rendering a landscape characterized by a lack of trust, paralysis and blame, set against a worsening situation for the communities concerned. The reality is that decades of negotiations, initiatives and protests have ultimately failed to deliver a solution that meets the expectations and responsibilities of all sides. This complex situation has been described by James Tar Tsaaior as “paradoxical.” (71) For several seasons now, the Niger Delta has been writhing in throes. It is still writhing in throes. And it will, perhaps, continue to writhe in throes; perhaps, perpetually. Reasons exist for these seasons of throes. The Niger Delta is a blessed, ethereal landscape. It is home to a congregation of ageless swamps, calm creeks, and primeval estuaries. This is besides other magnificent marine creatures which the area lays claim to, making it a haven of aquatic splendour. With its virile, verdant vegetation of tall, elegant forest trees like the iroko, obeche and other swaying flora, the Niger Delta is a natural habitat to a rare breed of wild animals and species of birds which eminently qualify this richly endowed rain forest enclave as a foremost tourist destination of global magnitude.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Socio-Cultural Effects of Oil Exploration and Exploitation on the Ecology.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that oil exploration and exploitation has been very lucrative, and a major revenue earner in Nigeria. But, like most industrial activities, it produces environmental hazards that are detrimental to the people and the environment where the oil is deposited. The situation in the Niger Delta is both curious and is an annoying paradox. The people live in difficult coastal areas surrounded by water, and yet, do not have enough water to drink.

The creeks are littered with pipelines bearing petroleum products to other parts of the country, but from this researcher’s personal experiences fuel is scarce and expensive, as a matter of fact costlier in Yenegoa than in Kano. The Niger Deltans have also lamented that, before their very eyes, revenue from crude oil sales is taken away to provide infrastructure in other parts of the country while many communities in the Niger Delta are cut off from civilization because there are no roads or bridges to get to them.

In other development, the Niger Delta youths in their thousands, if not millions are largely unemployed. The qualified ones among them have to struggle with other Nigerians to get employments and positions in the oil companies. The oil companies have their headquarters in Lagos and Abuja, not in the Niger Delta.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to scrutinize the Socio-Cultural Effects of Oil Exploration and Exploitation on the Ecology using Kaine Agary’s Yellow-Yellow as a reference point. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine the environmental aspects of Kaine Agary’s Yellow-Yellow literature through a discussion of eco-criticism;
2. To examine how writers have explored the place of oil in Nigerian Literature;
3. To explore the effects of oil in the Niger Delta and the country at large;
4. To examine the eco-thematic concerns of the texts under review; and
5. To carry out an eco-critical analysis of both texts in relations to oil in Nigeria.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• What are the effects of oil in the Niger Delta and the country at large?
• What are the eco-thematic concerns of the texts under review?
• What are the environmental aspects of Kaine Agary’s Yellow-Yellow literature through a discussion of eco-criticism?

1.6 Significance of Study

The research is significant in the following ways:

1. It exposes the environmental issues surrounding oil explorations in Nigeria, thus creating further awareness on the subject of environmental degradations.
2. It examines how Nigerian prose fiction writers have been able explore the place of oil in Nigerian Literature, thereby contributing to the literatures of the Niger Delta.
3. By situating the texts to contemporary Nigerian society, the study exposes the relevant contributions of literature (especially prose fiction writers) to society.
4. Students, teachers and researchers will find the discussions in this study useful for further studies on the effects of oil in Nigeria.
5. This research is significant for its contributions to knowledge in Green Literature and the literatures of the Niger Deltan people.

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.7 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Socio-Cultural Effects of Oil Exploration and Exploitation on the Ecology with reference to Kaine Agary’s Yellow-Yellow.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.9 Methodology

The study adopts eco-criticism theory and Content Analysis approach in exploring the place of oil in Nigerian prose fiction. The data for this research is Helon Habila’s Oil on Water and Kaine Agary’s Yellow Yellow. Every page of both texts that touches on the issues surrounding the impact of oil in Nigeria will be examined.

The study will also use materials from journal articles, periodicals, literary texts, and internet surfing that will be relevant for this research will be consulted for review of literatures.