Perception, Social Economic Effects and Community Involvement on the Oil Refinery Project

Abstract

The study examined Perception, Social economic Effects and community involvement on the oil refinery project, a case study of Asinget village Osukuru Sub County, Tororo District, Uganda, objects to study were, to assess the Social economic Effects of the development of the Mini Oil refinery on Community involvement in Asinget Village Osukuru Sub County, to assess the community involvement towards the mini oil refinery development in Asinget Village Osukuru Sub County. The study adopted a descriptive cross sectional survey design where both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. In this study, a total number of 158 respondents were expected. However, only 147 respondents returned the survey instruments, representing a response rate of 93%. The data was collected using questionnaires, analysis was done using Regression Analysis, Correlation Coefficients, and one Way Analysis of Variance for the quantitative findings. Qualitative examination was done using Content and Thematic Analysis. The study found out that, males greatly participated in the study as represented by 59%, majority of respondents who took part in the study were between 30-40 years (33%) , were married (47%), respondents where either not school or stopped at a lower level making a total percentage of 33%, 46% were found to have stayed in Osukuru Sub-County for over 15 years implying that the biggest percentage had leaved in the Osukuru Sub- County and had settled with their families for a longer time and so the refinery project affected them. Owners listened to community views, residents will be helped on how to utilize the compensation money given creating a sense of ownership and commitment towards the refinery, the project construction will destroy the wet lands, swamps and changing the water table of the area. Employment is creation, the trade and business will get boosted within the community and the district. In addition, the refinery will have extensive operations in the mini oil refinery in Osukuru, Tororo District. More migrants around the refinery will increase and also insecurity will rise, the mini oil waste bi products will affect people’s health if the refinery does not setup prepare waste disposal centers and methods. Commodity prices will sky rocket and also change in income levels of the community and also boost the business around Osukuru. It enables communities to own, take part in policy goals and priorities, oversee the actions of the people and holds them accountable for their actions, express points of view, share information about their needs and problems, get involved in the initial stages, identify additional resources, monitor and evaluate the outcomes of implementing and many other actions.