Perceived Effect of Oil Spillage on the Livelihood Activities of Women in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State

This study assessed the perceived effect of the livelihood activities of women in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state. Systematic random sampling method was used to select Two hundred respondents. Frequency distribution, percentage, chi-square and person product moment correlation (PPMC) were used in analyzing the data. The result revealed that most (74.5%) respondents were below that age of 51 years; Christians (94.5%), married (75%) and only 16.5% have educational level above primary. Majority (81.5%) earn below N10,001 and 75.5% spend below N5,001 monthly. The major livelihood activities of the respondents are fish processing (63%) and processing non-fish aquatic products (57.5%). Major constraints to livelihood activities are poor storage/processing equipment (63.5%) and water pollution (61%). The respondents perceived negative effect of oil spillage on fishing (98.5%), fish processing (77%), and gathering non-fish aquatic products (99%), processing nonfish aquatic products (75%), crop farming (89.5%), gathering other non-timber forest products (77.5%) and craft (52.5%). The result of the hypotheses testing indicating that respondents' age (r = 0. 154, p < 0.05), marital status (c 2 = 14.395, p < 0.05), level of involvement in livelihood activities (r = 0.149, p < 0.05), inadequate capital/credit facilities (c 2 = 4.971, p < 0.05) and poor transportation network (c 2 = 6.505, p < 0.05) were significantly related with the perceived effect of oil spillage. Effort should be made to reduce the incidence of oil spillage, proper cleaning incase of any spillage, due compensation for the effect of the spillage, institution of appropriate development projects and financial empowerment of the women, should instituted and embarked upon.