Assessing the Impact of Exploration on People’s Livelihoods
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Date
2024-05-08
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Uganda Christian University
Abstract
The examined the impact of exploration on people’s livelihoods in Butiaba Sub County. With a
growing focus on natural resource extraction in the region, understanding the implications of
exploration activities on local communities' livelihoods is imperative for sustainable
development. This was guided by the following objectives; - to find out the main exploration
activities taking place and to establish the impact of oil and gas exploration activities on people’s
livelihoods in Butiaba Sub County, Uganda. The Oil and Gas industry everywhere faces
problems and challenges. However, in the developing countries, these difficulties and challenges
are present alongside a general situation of socio-economic stress, chronic resource shortages,
institutional weaknesses and a general inability to deal with the key issues.
The study adopted an economic theory by Adam Smith (1776) the theory states that wealth is
created via labor, and self-interest spurs people to use their resources to earn money. This was
relevant since it is an influential figure of the Industrial Revolution in Uganda. Oil and gas
exploration activities are an indication to the revolution of the sector. The Oil and Gas industry
everywhere faces problems and challenges. However, in the developing countries, these
difficulties and challenges are present alongside a general situation of socio-economic stress,
chronic resource shortages, institutional weaknesses and a general inability to deal with the key
issues.
The researcher adopted a descriptive research design. This is done to identify and obtain
information on the characteristics of a particular issue (Kothari, 2008). The sample involved 33
respondents and determined by Slovene’s formula.
Findings indicate that the males were the most at 23(69.7%) with the females being the least at
10(30.3%). Results also indicates that government has conducted surveying of the land with
mean 3.36 std.54 surveying is one of the oil and gas exploration activity taking place in Butiaba
Sub country, 3.39 mean indicates that there is site clearance including the surrounding areas of
communities in Butiaba sub county and it is what guided for the establishment of the oil and gas
plant. The study also found out that livelihood sources were engaged in before and after
commissioning of oil and gas exploration activities. Mean 3.48 indicated that people access to
safe water for domestic use in the community.
In summary, the exploration activities undertaken in Butiaba sub county have provided helpful
insights into the region's geological composition and potential resource reserves. This entails
strengthening oversight mechanisms to enforce compliance with environmental regulations and
best practices, including rigorous environmental impact assessments (EIAs) throughout the
exploration process.