Maritime Security Threats And Economic Development In Coastal Areas Of Delta And Rivers States, Nigeria
Agbai Eke Agbai, Eugene T. Aliegba, Muhammed Bello Baban’umma
Keywords: Maritime domain, Security, Development, Economicd evelopment, Coastal areas
Abstract
International maritime security threats, especially sea piracy and oil theft have continued to affect economic development in Nigeria’s coastal areas in diverse ways. This paper interrogates possible effects of international maritime security threats on economic development in coastal areas of Rivers and Delta States, Nigeria. Data for the study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected from a sample of 385 respondents drawn from Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency in Rivers and Delta States; diplomatic staff from Benin Republic, Togolese, and Senegalese embassies in Abuja as well as operators of shipping businesses in Bonny and Oporoza coastal areas in Rivers and Delta States. The study employed the purposive sampling technique to select 15 participants for in-depth interview. Data from questionnaire were analysed using simple percentages and absolute frequencies, while data from in-depth interview were analysed using narrative analytic technique. Also, data from secondary sources were analysed using relational-content analysis. The study’s results showed, among other things, that international maritime security threats impinge on economic development of coastal areas in Delta and Rivers States. The paper concludes that sea piracy and oil theft have increased the level of poverty in coastal areas of Rivers and Delta States, Nigeria. The paper recommends that the National Assembly should enact legislations aimed at poverty alleviation and job creation to curb the negative implications of sea piracy and oil theft on the livelihood of people in coastal areas of Rivers and Delta States.
Author Biography
Agbai Eke Agbai, Eugene T. Aliegba, Muhammed Bello Baban’umma
Department of Political Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Email:ekeagbai2023@gmail.com