CONCEPTUAL ISSUES OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCARCITY IN WARRI CONFLICT

Environment and settlement are potent reality in human existence as well as precursor to violent behaviour when there is somewhat deprivation. For over 60 years, the Warri area of the Western Niger Delta has experienced increase in exploration activities due to the huge availability of carbon. In spite of sundry challenges of environment and settlements where oil and gas are produced in sub Saharan Africa, there are recurrent issues of conflicts over ownership of land as a result of royalties from mineral resources and mutual claims of marginalization arising from other demographic factors. This paper is an attempt not only to demonstrate the escalation dynamics of mineral resources as drivers of conflict but also environmental peacebuilding through improved natural resource governance to create peaceful relationships among ethnic communities in the Warri area. The paper concludes that institutions and agencies of government and multinational oil corporations responsible for natural resource governance should evolve strategies for effective community and citizens’ engagement.