Geospatial Analysis of Artisanal Refineries Distribution Pattern in the Central Niger Delta, Nigeria

The study examined the geospatial analysis of geospatial analysis of artisanal refineries distribution pattern in the Central Niger Delta, Nigeria. The study made use of locational data obtained as secondary data from National Oil Spill Monitor and National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency. Geographic analyses such as nearest neighbour analysis, directional distribution (Standard deviation ellipse), and Mean Center were carried out. Descriptive statistics involving spatial extent, frequency and percentage were employed for the data analysis. The results showed that that a total of 1476 artisanal sites were discovered in the Central Niger Delta. Of this total 55.35% (817) were found in Bayelsa State, 5.49% (81) were found in Delta State and 39.16% (578) were found in Rivers State. The nearest neighbour analysis showed that the distribution pattern of artisanal refineries was significantly clustered in Bayelsa State (Z= 47.5252, p=0.000); Delta State (Z= -10.129, p=0.0000); Rivers State (Z= -35.13333, p=0.0000) and the entire Central Niger Delta (Z= -59.8222, p=0.0000). The mean center of the distribution of artisanal refineries in Bayelsa State was found in Southern Ijaw LGA, Delta State in Uvwie LGA, Rivers State is found in Ikwerre LGA, and the entire Central Niger Delta was found in Ogbia LGA. The directional distribution standard deviation ellipse covered 58.49% in Bayelsa State, 35.06% in Rivers State and 6.35% of dispersion in Delta State. The study can be concluded that the spatial distribution pattern of artisanal refineries in the entire Central Niger Delta was clustered in nature and Bayelsa and Rivers States were more affected. It is recommended to among others that more studies should be done on the proliferation of artisanal refineries in the study area and entire Niger Delta so that the environmental effects resulting from artisanal refinery activities are reduced to the barest minimum.