Perception of Artisanal Refining (Kpo Fire) Activities on Social Economic Livelihood and The Environment in Okrika L.G.A, Rivers State

Abstract

This research investigated how artisanal refining (Kpo Fire) practices affect social economies and environmental health in the Okrika Local Government Area in Rivers State, Nigeria. The inquiry was spurred by the rise of illegal artisanal refining operations in the Niger Delta and the resultant effects on the environment and local livelihoods. A cross-sectional survey was utilized, incorporating 384 participants chosen via Cochran’s formula due to an unknown population size. Data was gathered through structured questionnaires, interviews, and direct observations, while the analysis employed descriptive statistics and ANOVA with a significance level of 0.05. Results indicated that participants from various livelihood sectors employed diverse coping methods, with grand mean scores between 3.98 and 4.06. Major strategies encompassed diversification of livelihoods (HH = 4.10; Farmers = 4.12), dependence on non-farming earnings (up to 4.25), small trading activities (up to 4.22), migration (3.80–3.90), and community assistance initiatives (4.10– 4.18). Engaging in artisanal refining was recognized as a coping mechanism as well (3.80–3.90). ANOVA findings (F = 1.542; p = 0.204) showed no notable variation in coping approaches among different groups. Environmental perception findings indicated strong consensus on acute ecological decline, with fishermen scoring the highest grand mean (4.39), trailed by farmers at (3.93) and household heads at (3.77). Significant consequences included water pollution (up to 4.45), soil pollution (4.35), air quality deterioration (4.35), loss of vegetation (4.30), and destruction of aquatic life (4.45). Community leaders demonstrated slightly lower perceptions (3.63) but still recognized widespread environmental degradation. The findings suggest that artisanal refining substantially impacts both living conditions and the quality of the environment, compelling households to adopt adaptive yet economically limited coping strategies while hastening ecological harm across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

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