Petroleum activities, wetland utilization and livelihood changes in Southern Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria: 2003-2015

Abstract: The state of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria is known as one of the wetlands rich in biodiversity as well as oil and gas reserves. Its wetland ecosystem is noted for its primary support it has provided for the people living in this area. However, this wetland has also been a reservoir for Nigeria’s crude oil contributing a prominent share of petroleum product to the country’s GDP, total revenue to the government through exports and other fiscal surpluses, making it Africa’s largest economy. But back home where the resources is harnessed to achieved and attained the height of this economic successes the situation is a direct contrast, petroleum activities is mostly synonymous to environmental pollution, degradation, conflicts and crises. Wetland is not left out of these adverse effects. Therefore this study was based on the impact of petroleum activities and its effects on wetland, agricultural practices within the wetland, people’s livelihood as well as strategies for sustainable management of wetland in the study area. GIS and Remote Sensing was used, by adding ancillary data from ground truth points and other reference sources to the thematic LULC satellite images of the study area. Erdas Imagine and ArcMap were used in processing, monitoring and mapping the wetland changes caused by petroleum activities and the consequent effects of these actions by assessing the pattern of distribution of the affected wetland, taking into consideration the baseline data such as vegetation types, densities, phenology, as well as land use cover types. Livelihood changes were measured by conducting interviews to different stakeholders in the course of this research. The result showed that there has been a significant change in the wetland area of Southern Akwa Ibom State though more than 68% of the wetland mapped had not changed. While wetland was increasing in some areas others experienced a decrease. Livelihood changes in the area shows that petroleum activities have benefited the people in areas of employments both directly and indirectly although they are still expecting an improvement in areas such as provision of farm inputs, health and housing facilities from the Multinational Oil Companies. It was observed that management of the wetland was majorly based on traditional methods of total and periodic restrictions to some community preserved areas as well as periodic fallowing. The traditional management strategies of seasonal restrictions and buffers is not sustainable enough to protect and preserved the wetlands from complete degradation and as such measures should be taken to sensitize all stakeholders in the study area to adhere to the government laid down laws and regulations in order to protect, preserve and ensure a sustainable wetland for future generations.