An evaluation of natural resources extraction and host communities’ reaction in Nigeria and South Africa 2005-2015

Abstract

The study examined the impacts of natural resources extraction activities in Ogoniland, Nigeria and Marikana, South Africa. It assessed reactions of host communities towards the extraction of natural resources. The study examined the extant laws guiding the extraction of natural resources in Nigeria and South Africa, and evaluated the effectiveness of the government regulatory agencies in ensuring the compliance to SPDC and Lonmin to the extant regulations guiding their oil and platinum extraction activities in Ogoniland, Nigeria and Marikana, South Africa respectively. The study determined challenges faced by government regulatory agencies in ensuring natural resources extraction companies’ compliance with extant regulations guiding their extraction activities in Ogoniland, Nigeria and Marikana, South Africa, leading to the perceived injustices meted on the host communities and the reactions of its members. The study identified ways of ensuring that the relationship between the natural resources extraction companies and host communities is mutually beneficial. These were with a view to advancing knowledge on contributions of natural resources extraction activities in Africa and other resources-rich countries towards ameliorating their negative impacts. The study utilized qualitative research design, sourced through in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with purposively selected participants from Ogoniland and Marikana respectively. A total of 26 participants were interviewed and 24 participants went through Focus Group Discussions in both Ogoniland and Marikana. Data were analysed using thematic method of data analysis. The results showed that natural resources extraction activities have led to environmental pollution, loss of indigenous job opportunities, influx of diseases, poor working and living conditions. Results also showed that these adverse impacts have led to hostile reactions in form of protests, strike actions, theft and artisanal form of extraction activities from the members of the host communities of Ogoniland and Marikana. Furthermore, results showed the adverse impacts and hostile reactions exist particularly considering that the government regulatory agencies have not effectively enforced compliance to extant laws by the natural resources extraction companies. Results also showed that the government regulatory agencies’ inability to effectively enforce the natural resources extraction companies’ compliance to extant laws is as a result of the challenges of conflicts of interest, the corruption of government officials and limited monitoring capacities, that the governments of Nigeria and South Africa must address to protect the fundamental human rights of members of the host communities of Ogoniland and Marikana. The study concluded that extraction of natural resources impoverishes host communities, which, in turn, provoked negative reactions in resources-rich communities in Ogoniland and Marikana The study recommended among other things that the governments of Nigeria and South Africa should furnish the regulatory agencies with adequate capacities to perform their oversight functions effectively. They should be intentional about protecting the fundamental human rights of the members of host communities of Ogoniland and Marikana.