Proceedings of the 2nd (Hybrid) International Conference, Faculty of Social Sciences, Niger Delta University, Held on March 13, 2024
March, 2024
Pages 349-365
DOI: 10.36108/wjss/ConfP.2024.020
IMPACT OF SECURITY CHALLENGES ON PATRONAGE OF INLAND WATER TRANSPORTATION IN BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA
Kenibolayefa M. Owota and Andrew A. Obafemi
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of security challenges on patronage of inland water transportation in Bayelsa State. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and the study’s target group includes boat operators and resident of Bayelsa state who have at least once use inland water transportation. Self-administered questionnaire and field observation were used to obtain data from randomly selected sample of 400 inland water transport users in Bayelsa state. The study adopted the Routine Activity Theory as its theoretical guide. Mann-Whitney U-test was used to explain the difference in the level of inland water transport patronage across different seasons in Bayelsa state. Findings showed that piracy attack/robberies (75%), kidnapping (65%), and Hostage taking (45%) as the major security challenges respondents experience using inland water transport. Also, majority of the respondents 30% use inland water transport at least once a week and about 37% of the respondents observed that inland water transportation is unsafe. The results also showed that 52% prefer to use inland water transport during the dry season. Further analysis revealed that there is no significant difference between the level of patronage of inland water transport in rainy season and in dry season, (Z = -0.75; p> 0.05). Enhance security measures such as increase policing along water routes, regular patrols, and installation of surveillance systems to ensure the safety of passengers and operators. It is also recommended that there is need to improvement seasonal adaption strategies and invest in infrastructural development for inland water transportation especially during the rainy season.
Keywords: Security challenges, Patronage, Inland Water transportation, Seasonal Variation