Bottom-to-top approach solution to environmental degradation in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria
Keywords:
Bottom top, environmental degradation, Niger Delta, top downAbstract
Background: Environmental degradation in the Niger Delta Region of Niger has defiled all solutions. Therefore, there is a need to consider fresh approaches to addressing the problem.
Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the possibility of using bottom to top approach in addressing the problem of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.
Method: The researchers applied a descriptive survey research design and sampled 472 respondents using a multistage sampling technique. The participants were sampled from three states that make up the Niger Delta. The states were Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, while analyses were done using percentages and multiple regression analysis.
Result: The majority of the participants reported that bottom to top approach can contribute to a large extent in addressing the problem of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta Region. The participants also reported that the bottom-to-top approach is more effective than the top-to-bottom approach in addressing the problem of environmental degradation. Finally, stages of the bottom-to-top approach, like problem identification and need priorities, motivation and mobilisation, working together and finally, creating an enabling environment, predicted the effective implementation of the bottom-to-top approach for addressing environmental degradation in the Niger Delta Region.
Conclusion: Bottom to top approach is more effective than top to bottom approach in addressing the problem of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta.
Unique Contribution: This study has offered empirical evidence that could be useful for addressing the problem of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta and elsewhere in the world where environmental degradation is a challenge.
Key Recommendation: Bottom to top approach should be used as a preferred approach for addressing the problem of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.
References
Adekola, J., Fischbacher-Smith, M., Fischbacher-Smith, D., & Adekola, O. (2017). Health risks from environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space, 35(2), 334-354. https://doi.org/10.1177/0263774X16661720
Agbu, O. (2005) Oil and environmental conflicts. in H. A Saliu (Ed) Nigeria Under Democratic Rule (1999-2003)’, Volume Two, Ibadan: University Press PLC.
Aluko, M. A. O. (2004). Sustainable development, environmental degradation and the entrenchment of poverty in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Journal of Human Ecology, 15(1), 63–68. doi:10.1080/09709274.2004.119056
Aroh KN, Ubong IU, Eze CL, et al. (2010) Oil spill incidents and pipeline vandalization in Nigeria Impact on public health and negation to attainment of Millennium development goal: The Ishiagu
Babajanian, B. V. (2005). Bottom Up and Top Down? Community Development in Post-Soviet Armenia: The Social Fund Model. Social Policy and Administration, 39(4), 448–462. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9515.2005.00449.x
Baloch, M. A., DanishKhan, Khan, S. U.-D., & Ulucak, Z. Ş. (2020). Poverty and vulnerability of environmental degradation in Sub-Saharan African countries: what causes what? Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, 54, 143–149 doi:10.1016/j.strueco.2020.04.00
Bowen, G. A. (2005). Local-level stakeholder collaboration: A substantive theory of community-driven development. Community Development, 36(2), 73–88. doi:10.1080/15575330509490176 For theoretical framework.
Fu, Y., & Ma, W. (2020). Sustainable Urban Community Development: A Case Study from the Perspective of Self-Governance and Public Participation. Sustainability, 12(2), 617. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12020617
Hein, L. (2007). Assessing the costs of land degradation: a case study for the Puentes catchment, southeast Spain. Land Degradation & Development, 18(6), 631–642. doi:10.1002/ldr.802
Lele, D. (2023). Exploring environmental education programs in oil-producing indigenous communities in Niger Delta, Ogoniland, Nigeria. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 39(3), 410-422. doi:10.1017/aee.2023.21
Maiangwa, B., & Agbiboa, D. E. (2013). Oil multinational corporations, environmental irresponsibility and turbulent peace in the Niger Delta. Africa Spectrum, 48(2), 71-83. https://doi.org/10.1177/000203971304800204
National Population Commission and National Bureau of Statistics Estimates (2016). National Population Estimates. Retrieved from https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/download/474
Nikkhah, H. & Redzuan, M (2009). Participation as a Medium of Empowerment in Community Development. European Journal of Social Sciences 11 (1),170-176.
Nseabasi, A. (2005). Conflicts in Nigeria’s Niger-Delta: Issues on Response and Management, International Journal of Social Sciences, 4(1),12-24.
Ogbonne , I. P. (2019). Cutting the head as cure for headache: Exploring the economic impact of Niger Delta militancy on host communities. Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies , 1(1), 76–84.
Opukri, C & Ibaba, C (2008). Oil induced environmental degradation and internal population displacement in the Nigeria’s Niger Delta. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 10(1), 173- 193.
Powell, A; Marriott, J; and stockman, L (2005). ‘The Next Gulf: London Washington and the Oil Conflict in Nigeria’, London: Constable and Robinson Ltd.
Quimbo, M. A. T., Perez, J. E. M., & Tan, F. O. (2018). Community development approaches and methods: Implications for community development practice and research. Community Development, 49(5), 589–603. doi:10.1080/15575330.2018.154619
Saliu, A., Luqman, S. & Abdullahi, A. (2007).Environmental degradation, rising poverty and conflict: towards an explanation of the Niger-delta crisis. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 9 (4), 275-296.
Squazzoni, F. (2008). Local economic development initiatives from the bottom-up: the role of community development corporations. Community Development Journal, 44(4), 500–514. doi:10.1093/cdj/bsn009
Tamazian, A., & Bhaskara Rao, B. (2010). Do economic, financial and institutional developments matter for environmental degradation? Evidence from transitional economies. Energy Economics, 32(1), 137–145. doi:10.1016/j.eneco.2009.04.004
Turner, A. (2007). Bottom-up community development: reality or rhetoric? the example of the Kingsmead Kabin in East London. Community Development Journal, 44(2), 230–247. doi:10.1093/cdj/bsm047
United Nations (2012). Environmental degradation. Retrieved from https://archive.unescwa.org/environmental-degradation
Wang, J., & Dong, K. (2018). What drives environmental degradation? Evidence from 14 Sub-Saharan African countries. Science of The Total Environment. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.
Zal, W. A. A. (2016). The practice of community potential mapping as a guideline for community development in Malaysia. Community Development Journal. doi:10.1093/cdj/bsw041
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Samuel Enudi, Ferdinand Eloke Okoro
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
