BOUNDARY CONFLICT AND OIL RESOURCE CONTROL IN KPEAN AND SII COMMUNITIES, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA
Keywords:
Boundary conflict, oil resource control, institutional enforcement gaps, Petroleum Industry Act, Niger DeltaAbstract
The Niger Delta remains a conflict-prone region where petroleum extraction intensifies communal tensions and transforms land into an economically strategic asset. Although statecommunity resource disputes are widely documented, limited empirical attention has been given to the micro-boundary dynamics and institutional failures sustaining conflicts between neighboring host communities. This study examined the intersection of contested territoriality, oil resource control, and institutional enforcement gaps in the persistence of the Kpean–Sii boundary conflict in Rivers State, Nigeria. Anchored on Resource Curse and Relative Deprivation theories, the study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional correlational survey design. Using Cochran’s formula, a sample size of 384 adult residents was selected through multi-stage sampling. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.82–0.88) and analyzed with descriptive statistics and Multiple Linear Regression. Findings revealed that while historical land tenure constitutes the foundation of the dispute, competition over oil resource control remains the strongest predictor of conflict persistence (β = 0.485, p < 0.05). The Petroleum Industry Act (2021) was also found to intensify territorial rigidity, as land ownership is increasingly perceived as the gateway to Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) benefits. Additionally, weak enforcement of boundary resolutions and low public trust in statutory agencies significantly sustain the conflict. The study concludes that the conflict persists due to resource-driven competition, distributive grievances, and institutional enforcement gaps. It recommends GIS-supported boundary demarcation, inclusive resource governance frameworks, and stronger statutory enforcement mechanisms to promote sustainable communal peace.References
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