Natural Resources Exploitation and Utilization in Imo State, Nigeria: The Economic and Environmental Perspective

This research was carried out in six Local Government Areas of Imo state, Nigeria. Natural resources endowment of any area in the world when properly harnessed can act as a catalyst to the economic life of the area. In an effort to harness these resources, the environment of the area is also affected especially when harnessed without due consideration for the effect on the environment. This research examines various resources exploited, harnessed and utilized from various locations within the study area of Imo state, Nigeria. The methods of exploitation are also examined with the view of ascertaining how they impact on economic life of the people living within these areas, as well as the environment where exploitation takes place. Both primary and secondary data were employed for this research. Questionnaires and oral interview were instruments used for primary data generation. Five hundred and fifty six copies of the questionnaire were distributed to communities systematically sampled from 6 local government areas out of the 27 local government areas of Imo state. Data generated were presented in frequency tables and as percentages. Two hypotheses were tested. Inferential statistics of correlation analysis and Chi Square were used to test the hypotheses. One of the hypotheses sought to know if there is a relationship between methods of natural resources exploitation and environmental deterioration in the state. The result obtained showed that natural resources in the study area have contributed positively to the economic life of the people. It was also observed that various resources exploitation methods have created a lot of problems, ranging from environmental, economic, health to socio-cultural. Most of these resources are exploited largely using rudimentary methods without any recourse to its impact on the environment. There are no environmental impact assessments (EIA) to determine positive and adverse environmental and socio-economic impacts, and where mitigation is possible, before these resources are harnessed. The research thereby recommends among others, controlled resource exploitation and environmental impact assessment before these resources are harnessed.