Pa ge 1 Pa ge 83 American Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation (AJMRI) Analyses of Quality of Life Variation in Nun River Oilfield Communities, Bayelsa State Nigeria Amatari-Breford, Sinclair Amatari1*, Digha Opaminola N.2, Ohwo Odafivwotu3, Numoipre Inainfe.1, Clarke Tarelayefa.1 Volume 4 Issue 4, Year 2025 ISSN: 2158-8155 (Online), 2832-4854 (Print) DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajmri.v4i4.1579 https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajmri Article Information ABSTRACT Received: March 08, 2023 Accepted: April 19, 2023 Published: June 26, 2025 This studyexamined quality of life variations in Nun River Oilfield Communities and Adjoining Communities. The study covered fifteen communities; tenoil and gas bearing communities within Nun River Oilfield and five Adjoining communities which arenon-oil and gas bearing, all in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The survey method was the main of primary data collection; a well-structured questionnaire wasadministered on 398 respondents in sampled communities. The respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data was both descriptively and statistically analysed using appropriate statistical tool. Both the descriptive and results from statistical analyses of an ANOVA test showed that F-ratio calculated 101.812 was greater than the tabulated value of 3.84, and the P-value 0.000 was less than significant 0.05 indicating that quality of life significantly varied between the Nun Oilfield Communities and Adjoining Communities. Secondly, results indicatedthat corporate social responsibility interventions of companies were largely responsible for the variationin quality of life. The study also revealed inadequate provision of essential goods and services in the sampled communities,most especially in Adjoining Communities which foreshadows negative consequences for quality of life. Government should design and carry out deliberate policies and programmes on rural infrastructure development, as this will improve the quality of life of individuals and communities. Keywords Adjoining Communities, Nun River Oilfield, Quality of Life, Variation INTRODUCTION Quality of life (QoL) is a geographical variable condition as it varies not only between people, but also between places, basically because of the characteristics of people and places (Gramer et al., 2004). The World Health Organisation Quality of Life Group (1995) underscored that QoL is largely the assessment of one’s position in life as regards culture and the value system of the society as compared to the individual’s objectives, expectations, standards and concerns. The definition suggests that QoL entails a mix of physical, psychological and social dimensions in people and communities.In the same vein, Sirgy and Jin (2016) posited that QoL refers to a subjective and objective assessments centered on the socio-cultural and ecological aspects of individuals and communities. Ortegem and Verhofstadt (2015) averred that both the subjective and objective indicators or factors of QoL are suggestive of two different things; the subjective factors focuses on pleasure as key to human happiness and satisfaction as QoL, and the objective factors focuses on the health status, housing, economic viability, educational and nutritional levels etc. Ejechi and Ejechi (2008) and Weaver (2014) asserted at different times that the determination of QoL involves assessment of demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the people as well as the environmental conditions of the community.According to Kele (2012) noted thatQoLis affected primarily by certain factors such as housing, leaisure and recreation, economic stability, neighbourhood environment, job opportunities, public goods and services amongst others. The author also highlighted three main characteristics of individuals QoL; one, it reflects individuals life satisfaction and his perception, two, QoL is a dynamic concept covering multiple life domains such as housing, condition, educational attainment, job and work life balance, access to institutions, and public facilities, and three, it brings objective information on living conditions with subjective views and attitudes to offer a portrait of overall life satisfaction or comfort. Furthermore, Kele (2012) described community QoL as a group of socio-economic and environmental indicators such as crime, health, jobs, educational attainment, justice systems and recreation that adds to the desirability and liveability of community. In differences and effects of socioeconomic dynamics on QoL, Boroah, Dineen, and Lynch (2011) asserted that even within communities, variations in financial status, employment status, availability and access to basic amenities could trigger variations in QoL. Akinyemi et al. (2012) stated that due todemographic and socio-economic dynamic and availability of basic amenities, QoL in one rural community could ultimately vary from QoL of another rural community. The authors further stated that QoL in rural areas with natural resources and amenities shows a significantly different QoLwhen contrasted with sterile rural area. 1 Department of Geography, Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama, P.M.B 74, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria 2 Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Federal University Otuoke, P.M.B 126, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria 3 Department of Geography and Environmental Management, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria * Corresponding author’s e-mail: amabresly44@gmail.com Pa ge 84 https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajmri Am. J. Multidis. Res. Innov. 4(4) 83-90, 2025 Reports have shown that small communities are after disadvantage regarding QoL as is the case with many oil and gas bearing communities which are mostly at the bottom in the hierarchy of settlement, and frequently bearing the added burden of negative externalities from the oil industries.Now, in a bid to ameliorate the plight of host communities caused by the multiple disadvantages they suffer as a result of small size and by devastations from oil and gas operations, industry operates undertakes several development projects as part of their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR). CSR refers to practices and policies undertaken by corporations that are intended to have a positive impact or benefit on society (Lee, 2008). The author also noted that the key idea behind CSR is for corporations to pursue other pro-social objectives in addition to maximising profit. Moir (2001) concluded that objectives of CSR include building sustainable growth for business in a responsible manner; to minimise negative environmental externalities, thus promoting improve living standards. Has theseCSR interventions of operators of the oil and gas industry improves the QoL of the individuals and host communities. It is against this backdrop that this paper is purposively undertaken to fulfil the followingobjectives; identify the factors responsible for variation in QoL and ascertain QoL variation inNun River Oilfield Communities and Adjoining Communities covered by this study. The Study Area The study area is situated on both banks of the Nun River and Silver Creek, which for now form the main access routes to the communities. The study area consisted of fifteen (15) communities; ten Nun River Oilfield Communities which include;Oporoma, Onyoma, Angiama,,Agiama-gbene, Luduon, Aguobiri, Bolou-Aguobiri, Igeibiri, Obololi and Osokama, and five Adjoining Communities which include; Otuan, Oweikoroghe, Anyama, Ondewari andOzezebiri, all in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. See map of the study area in Figure 1. Figure 1: Map showing Study Area in SILGA Source: Office of the Surveyor-General, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State The Nun River Oilfield Communities are classified into three categories; oil bearing, pipeline and impacted communities. The classification of the Nun River Oilfield Communities are shown in Table .1 Table 1: Classification of Nun River Oilfield Communities S/No Community Classification 1. Oporoma Oil bearing Community 2. Onyoma Oil bearing Community 3. Angiama Oil bearing Community Pa ge 85 https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajmri Am. J. Multidis. Res. Innov. 4(4) 83-90, 2025 The geographical coordinate of the central point of the study area which is Oporoma is in latitude 40481 1711 North and longitude 600414411 East. The Geology is made up from top to bottom with Benin, Agbade and Akata formations (SPDC 1998). The report further revealed that the area lies within the outcropping Benin formation made up of continental deposits, and is also characterised by fresh water swamps, back swamps and meander belts of flat plain. SPDC (1998) also noted severe drainage problems with seasonal and temporary flooding due to heavy rainfall and rise in ground water table. The area lies in the wet equatorial climate region of the Niger Delta. It is typically a humid tropical climate characterised by high rainfall and high temperature (Gobo, 1998). The area experiences both dry and wet seasons. The dry season is experienced between November and March, while the wet season is between April and October. The mean annual rainfall ranges from 2,000mm to 4,000mm and spread over a period of 8 to 10 months with episodes occurringall year round, even during the dry season. The temperature of the area ranges between 23 and 32oC with little monthly variations. The lowest monthly temperatures (23oC-25oC) are recorded during the rainy season months (June-September), while the highest temperatures (30-32oC) are recorded in February and March. The area experiences high relative humidity with values varying between 60 and 100%. However, periods of very low humidity occur during the harmattan spell when the North East trade wind is dominant (Gobo, 1998). The vegetation cover of the study area and that of the Bayelsa State is typical of the fresh water areas characterised by grasses and trees (Allison-Oguru et al., 1999).The authors also stated that the fresh water swamp forest constitutes the bulk of the vegetation of the area. This vegetation has two distinct features, namely, economic tree species and lianes and thick undergrowths. The surface soil of the area shows moderately adequate for crop production. The area is rich in natural resources which include oil and gas, with oil wells in most communities and oil/gas pipelines crisis-crossing the area. Major economic activity of the area include fishing, farming, forestry, lumbering, hunting, gathering of wild forest products and tapping of palm wine and brewing of local gin (Allison-Oguru et al., 1999). The inhabitants of the area are predominantlyIzons (Alagoa, 1999). MATERIALS AND METHODS The secondary data was population figures of sampled communities (National Population Commission, 1996). The primary data was collected with a well-structured questionnaire which comprised both open and close- ended questions which were organised in two sections; demographic and socio-economic characteristics and quality of life indicators.The total population of the study area was 103,608. However, to determine the actual sample size for effective administration of research instrument, the Taro Yamene Formula in Israel (2003) was adopted; n = N / (1 + Ne2) (1) Where; n= required sample size N= Population e= Level of significance (0.05)2 1= Constant Substituting values into the formula; n= 103,608/1 + 103,608 x (0.05)2 = 398 The calculation showed that 398 households are to be selected for the study. So, 398 questionnaires were distributed among the sampled communities with different population sizes using the proportionate stratified random sampling technique (Kpolovie, 2011). Table 2 shows the number of questionnaires distributed and retrieved from respondents in sampled communities. 4. Osokama Oil bearing Community 5. Aguobiri Pipeline Community 6. Bolou-Angiama Pipeline Community 7. Angiama-gbene Pipeline Community 8. Obololi Pipeline Community 9. Igeibiri Pipeline Community 10. Luduon Impacted Community Table 2: Distributed and Retrieved Questionnaires Oilfield Communities S/N Name of Community Administered Retrieved 1 Oporoma 78 67 2 Onyoma 19 19 3 Angiama 50 44 4 Ludoun 4 4 5 Aguobiri 35 30 6 Bolou-Aguobiri 12 10 Pa ge 86 https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajmri Am. J. Multidis. Res. Innov. 4(4) 83-90, 2025 The simple random sampling technique was used to select the 398 respondents. However, 340 were retrieved and used for analyses of data. Data were analysed using descriptive and statistical tools such as percentage, means and graphical illustrations. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyse data relating toQoL variation in Nun River Oilfield Communities and Adjoining Communities. Discussion of Findings This section entails presentation of results and discussion of findings to show attainment of thekey objective of the study. As earlier stated a total of 398 questionnaires were administered, out of which 380 representing 68% was retrieved and analysed as follows; see table 3. 7 Angiama-gbene 6 6 8 Igeibiri 25 24 9 Obololi 11 10 10 Osokama 7 6 Adjoining Communities 1 Otuan 74 63 2 Oweikoroghe 20 12 3 Anyama 21 15 4 Ondewari 30 24 5 Ozezebiri 6 6 Total 398 340 Table 3: Distributed and Retrieved Questionnaires S/N Essential goods and services Nun-River Oil Field Communities Neighboring Communities All Communities Variables F % F % F %N 1 Electricity Not Available(NA) 120 55 56 47 176 52 Available not in Use(ANU) 52 28 44 37 96 28 Available, in use (AIU) 48 22 20 16 68 20 Total 220 100 120 100 340 100 2 Portable Water Not Available(NA) 125 57 57 48 182 54 Available not in Use(ANU) 37 17 36 30 73 21 Available, in use (AIU) 58 26 27 22 85 25 Total 220 100 120 100 340 100 3 Road Network Not Available(NA) 144 65 67 56 211 62 Available not in Use(ANU) 13 6 9 8 22 6 Available, in use (AIU) 63 29 44 36 107 32 Total 220 100 120 100 340 100 4 Communication Network Not Available(NA) 92 42 16 13 108 32 Available not in Use(ANU) 10 5 11 9 21 6 Available, in use (AIU) 118 53 93 78 211 62 Total 220 100 120 100 340 100 5 Market Not Available(NA) 142 65 72 60 214 63 Available not in Use(ANU) 71 32 32 27 103 30 Available, in use (AIU) 7 3 16 13 23 7 Total 220 100 120 100 340 100 Pa ge 87 https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajmri Am. J. Multidis. Res. Innov. 4(4) 83-90, 2025 6 Supermarket Not Available(NA) 216 98 115 98 331 97 Available not in Use(ANU) 4 2 3 3 7 2 Available, in use (AIU) - - 2 1 2 1 Total 220 100 120 100 340 100 7 Departmental Shops Not Available(NA) 201 91 110 96 331 91 Available not in Use(ANU) 19 9 10 3 29 9 Available, in use (AIU) = - - 1 - - Total 220 100 120 100 340 100 8 Bread Bakeries Not Available(NA) 210 95 98 82 308 91 Available not in Use(ANU) 7 3 18 15 26 7 Available, in use (AIU) 3 2 4 3 5 2 Total 220 100 120 100 340 100 9 Water Factory Not Available(NA) 197 90 105 88 302 89 Available not in Use(ANU) 15 7 10 8 25 7 Available, in use (AIU) 8 3 5 4 13 4 Total 220 100 120 100 340 100 10 Tailoring Shops Not Available(NA) 120 55 89 74 209 61 Available not in Use(ANU) 9 4 8 7 17 5 Available, in use (AIU) 91 41 23 19 114 34 Total 220 100 120 100 340 100 11 Barbers/Hair shops Not Available(NA) 126 57 94 78 220 65 Available not in Use(ANU) 4 2 7 6 11 3 Available, in use (AIU) 90 41 19 16 109 32 Total 220 100 120 100 340 100 12 Shoe Maker Not Available(NA) 178 81 99 83 277 81 Available not in Use(ANU) 34 15 17 14 51 15 Available, in use (AIU) 8 4 4 3 12 4 Total 220 100 120 100 340 100 Table 4: Access to Goods, Services and Utilities S/N Essential goods and services Nun-River Oil Field Communities Neighboring Communities All Communities Variables F % F % F %N 13 Pharmacy Not Available(NA) 194 88 104 87 298 88 Available not in Use(ANU) 21 10 12 10 33 10 Available, in use (AIU) 5 2 4 3 9 2 Total 220 100 120 100 340 100 14 Public Transport Not Available(NA) 139 63 25 21 164 48 Available not in Use(ANU) 17 8 5 4 22 6 Pa ge 88 https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajmri Am. J. Multidis. Res. Innov. 4(4) 83-90, 2025 On the availability and impact of essential goods and services, results in Figure 2 revealed that in Nun River Oilfield Communities 130(59%) of respondents affirmed availability of essential goods and services have had a positive impact on quality of life (QoL), 70 (32%) agreed, 14(6%) strongly disagreed and 6(3%) strongly agreed. In the Adjoining Communities 79(66%) disagreed, 16(13%) agreed, 21(18%) strongly disagreed, and 4(3%) strongly agreed that the availability of essential goods and services have positive impacts on quality of life in their communities. See figure 3. Available, in use (AIU) 4 29 90 75 154 46 Total 220 100 120 100 340 100 Figure 2: Essential Goods and services in Nun River Oilfield Communities and Adjoining Communities Figure 3: Beneficial intervention of CSR in Nun River Oilfield Communities and Adjoining Communities Results showed that in the Nun River Oilfield Communities 147(67%) of the respondents said that CSR interventions projects undertaken by the SPDC was beneficial, and 73(33%) said that they were not beneficial. In the AdjoiningCommunities the results showed that only negligible 6(5%) of respondents said that CSR interventions were beneficial and 114(95%) of respondents said CSR interventions were not beneficial to their community. Quality of Life Rating A comparison of QoL rating between the Nun River Oilfield Communities and Adjoining Communities was determined, the rating ranged from poor, good and very good, and the distribution of result is presented in Figure 4 Pa ge 89 https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajmri Am. J. Multidis. Res. Innov. 4(4) 83-90, 2025 Table 5: QoL Rating in Sample communities SN Comm. F % SN Comm. F % SN Comm. F % 1. Oporoma 6. Bolou-Aguobiri 11. Otuan A Poor 20 30 A Poor 5 50 A Poor 30 48 B Good 25 37 B Good 2 20 B Good 7 11 C Very Good 7 11 C Very Good 1 10 C Very Good 3 5 D Very Poor 15 22 D Very Poor 2 20 D Very Poor 23 36 Total 67 100 Total 10 100 Total 63 100 2. Onyoma 7. Angiamagbene 12. Oweikoroghe A Poor 5 26 A Poor 3 50 A Poor 3 25 B Good 8 42 B Good 2 33 B Good 2 16 C Very Good 2 11 C Very Good - - C Very Good 2 17 D Very Poor 4 21 D Very Poor 1 17 D Very Poor 45 42 Total 19 100 Total 6 100 Total 12 100 3. Angiama 8. Igeibiri 13. Anyama A Poor 15 34 A Poor 10 42 A Poor 6 40 B Good 21 48 B Good 8 33 B Good 5 34 C Very Good 2 5 C Very Good - C Very Good 2 13 D Very Poor 6 13 D Very Poor 6 25 D Very Poor 2 13 Total 44 100 Total 24 100 Total 15 100 4. Luduon 9. Obololi 14. Ondewari A Poor 2 50 A Poor 5 50 A Poor 10 42 B Good 1 25 B Good 4 40 B Good 7 29 C Very Good - C Very Good - - C Very Good 2 8 D Very Poor 1 25 D Very Poor 1 10 D Very Poor 5 21 Total 4 100 Total 10 100 Total 24 100 5. Aguobiri 10. Osokama 15. Ozezebiri A Poor 10 33 A Poor 3 50 A Poor 2 40 B Good 13 44 B Good 2 33 B Good 1 20 C Very Good 1 3 C Very Good - - C Very Good D Very Poor 6 20 D Very Poor 1 17 D Very Poor 2 40 Total 30 100 Total 6 100 Total 5 100 Figure 4: QoL rating in Nun River Oilfield Communities and Adjoining Communities Results in fig 4.showed that in Nun River Oilfield Communities 78(35%) of the respondents rated QoL as poor, 86(39%) rated QoL as good, 13(6%) rated QoL as very good and 43(20%) as very poor. In the Adjoining Communities the results showed that 51(42%) rated QoL as poor, 23(19%) rated QoL as good 9(8%) of respondents said QoL was very good and 37(31%) as very poor. Pa ge 90 https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajmri Am. J. Multidis. Res. Innov. 4(4) 83-90, 2025 The result of ANOVA test revealed that the value of the f-ratio calculated 101.812 were greater than the tabulated value 3.84 at 5% level of significance. Secondly, the p-value 0.000 is less than the significant level of 0.05. Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected and the alternative accepted showing significant variation in QoL in Nun River Oilfield Communities and Adjoining Communities. Given the results from both descriptive and statistical analysed, there is no gainsaying that there is significantQoL variation in Nun River Oilfield Communities and Adjoining Communities, and that CSR interventions were largely responsible for the variation. The result confirms the conclusion of Senlier et al. (2008) whose results also showed a significantQoL variation in various cities covered by the study, and that of Babatunde (2020) who concluded that QoL of one rural community vary from the QoL of another due to economy and population dynamics and availability of social amenities. Likewise, Akinyemi et al. (2012) also concluded that QoL in natural resources rich area are likely to present a significantly different and improvedQoLcompared to adjoining sterile areas. RECOMMENDATIONS The study observed a general lack of basic amenities in the study area, most especially in the adjoining communities. 1. We therefore, recommend that government at all levels should design and undertake rural infrastructure development such as road networks, pipe-bone water, electricity, health and educational facilities as well as public amenities to enhance QoL in rural neighbourhoods. 2. Secondly, government at all levels; Federal, State and Local Government should revive the agricultural sector by providing technical assistance through extension services and ensure the provision of storage techniques/ facilities and market. This will also generate employment and as such reduce the level of poverty in the area and inherent rural – urban migration’ CONCLUSION The concept of QoL is not a recent ideology in the field of geography and other related disciplines. The concept is described both subjectively and objectively and can be studied both at the individual and community level. The study focused on identifying and analysis ofQoL variation in Nun River Oilfield Communities which are host to oil and gas companies benefitting from CSR interventions and Adjoining Communities without such CSR interventions. Key recommendation are made for the various levels of government and agencies to timely address the identified problems through the design and implementation of appropriate physical planning policies/programmes aimed at provision of basic facilities to improve QoL of individuals and communities. REFERENCES Akinyemi, O. O., Owoaye, E. T., Popoola, O. A., & Ilesanmi, O. S. (2012). Quality of life and associated factors among adults in a community, South West Nigeria. Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine, 10(3). Allison-Oguru, E. A., Zuofa, K., & Berepubo, N. A. (1999). Agriculture. In E. J. Alagoa (Ed.), The land and people of Bayelsa State: Central Niger Delta. Onyoma Research and Publication. Babatunde, A. O. (2010). Oil exploitation and local economy in the oil-bearing area of Niger Delta. Center for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Boroah, V. K., Dineen, D. A., & Lynch, N. (2011). Health, employment, and the quality of life in Ireland. 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