Interrogating frustration-aggression from environmental degradation in The Niger Delta conflict

This study interrogates what motivates the major beneficiaries of the Bayelsa State (Niger Delta) environment – the multinational oil corporations (MNOCs) and the Nigerian government (NG) to degrade that environment – their benefactor. The special interest of this thesis lies in understanding why the degradation continued even with the knowledge that their actions threaten the existence of the indigenous oil-bearing host communities (OBHCs) of Bayelsa State (Niger Delta). Irrespective of the fact that the Niger Delta conflict has been a favourite subject for scholars over the years, this particular aspect of the conflict has not been found amongst the literature consulted for this study. To fill this gap, this thesis interrogates this phenomenon. To address this phenomenon, this study reviewed relevant literature to understand the dynamics of environmental degradation through the application of instrumental aggression by the major beneficiaries, and the reactive aggression employed by the OBHCs, as a response to the former. Employing ethnographic tools for data collection involving in-depth interviews, participant observation and focus group discussions, the frustration-aggression theory deployed here emphasises that an individual or a group that has experienced severe deprivations, marginalisation or obstructions in reaching its goal, may transform from a frustrated group to an aggressive one. With the use of this theoretical framework and the proposed theoretical model: Self-Inflicted-Frustration-Aggression-Theory (SIFAT), this study found that the Niger Delta’s connection with the defunct Republic of Biafra was responsible for their neglect, marginalization, violation and the despoliation of its environment. The thesis found that the obstructions to OBHCs’ constitutional means of resolving the problem was the major factor transforming frustrations into aggression and violent conflict in Bayelsa state (Niger Delta).

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Nottingham Trent University

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Akahalu, UA

Language dc:language

en