Determinants of Obong Victor Attah International Airport, Akwa Ibom State on the Employment Status of the Host Communities

Abstract

The aviation industry has a vital role to play in achieving sustainable development in austerity nations like Africa, particularly in Nigeria. Interestingly, Africa accounts for just 2% of world GDP but hosts 13% of its population. As a result, GDP per capita in Africa is the lowest of the world’s regions. The general picture is one of underdevelopment, political instability, economic volatility and pervasive poverty. While there is a major opportunity to improve living standards, quality of life and alleviate poverty through sustained economic growth. This research work measured the contributions of the Obong Victor Attah International Airport to the social and economic life of host communities of Uruan, Okobo and Nsit-Atai. LGA’s in Akwa-Ibom State. Employment is one of the major parameters used in measuring these contributions. A buffer was used to demarcate the study into zones and a systematic sampling technique was employed in selecting the households to be sampled. The sample size composed of 400 respondents and this was determined from the population of the host communities using the Taro Yamane formula. Data needed for this study was obtained from questionnaires administered to the 400 respondents. Secondary data was collected from Ibom International Airport Development Company now known as Obong Victor Attah International Airport Development Company. Data collected were analysed using; percentages, charts, maps and simple linear regression statistical tools. The hypothesis formulated was tested using simple linear regression analysis, the null hypothesis which stated that airport does not significantly impact employment generation was accepted for employment. Results from the analysis revealed that 10% and 13% of the total number employed in 2013 and 2017 respectively were from the host communities. From this result it is here inferred that, Obong Victor Attah International Airport is not the major determinant of employment in the study area. It was recommended that the Government should create more employment opportunities for the host communities to improve their socio-economic well-being through the expansion of the nature-based tourist industry, which could offer not only a significant source of employment and income growth but also an effective mechanism to improve the sustainability of the environment, while also helping to protect the long-term sustainability of the tourism product in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria in general.