Violent conflicts and sustainable development in Bayelsa State

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Periodical article

Title:	Violent conflicts and sustainable development in Bayelsa State
Author:	Ibaba, Ibaba S.
Year:	2009
Periodical:	Review of African Political Economy
Volume:	36
Issue:	122
Pages:	555-573
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	petroleum industry pollution violence social conflicts development
External link:	https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03056240903346152
Abstract:	Although the literature on the Niger Delta, Nigeria, has highlighted the impact of the violence raging in the region, the analysis appears to have under-emphasized the effects of violent conflicts on sustainable development in the region. This study sets out to fill this gap through an empirical investigation involving 30 communities in Bayelsa State, in the centre of the Niger Delta. The study shows that violent conflicts over the benefits from the oil industry have undermined environmental quality through pollution and unsustainable exploitation of resources. The destruction of lives and property, the stagnation of infrastructure and agricultural development, and the insecurity caused by violence are noted to have constrained productivity, wealth creation and poverty reduction. Governance based on accountability, transparency, and the pursuit of the public good or common interest is seen as the most likely means to end the violence and secure sustainable development in the state. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]