UNEMPLOYMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES

UNEMPLOYMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES

---

Background of the Study

Crime is one major problem, and a burning issue in which every society particularly a developing one is faced with. Nigeria as a developing country faces her own share of social, political, economic and cultural problems at different regions which have in no small measure affected the well-being of the populace. One major cause universally agreed is the rising or increasing nature of unemployment.

It is commonly observed for most countries that unemployment and crime rates are positively correlated, but it is much more unclear whether the relationship means that unemployment causes crime, crime causes unemployment, or other factors cause either or both. In other words, the sign of the correlation is clear but the direction of the causality is not. One direction of the causality, unemployment affects crime, has received wide attention in the literature, but the reverse one has been largely neglected (Calro – Armengo and Yves Zenous, 2003).

The theoretical underpinning of the causality notion was developed some thirty years ago by Becker (1968), Stigler (1970) and Ehrlich (1973) among others. In Ehrlich’s model, individuals divide their time between legal activities and risky illegal activities. If legal income opportunities become scarce relative to potentials gains from crime, the model predicts that crime will become more frequent. Increased unemployment could be such factor.

Government the world over try to curb crime rates and if possible, eradicate crime. Similarly, unemployment, an economic disease, is a problem which government tries to reduce. It is noteworthy that wherever there is unemployment, especially at a high rate, there is a tendency for crime rate to increase dramatically this is because people are easily lured or compelled to criminal tendencies in the face of frustrations, poverty and loss of hope in earning a decent living (Egunjobi, 2003). According to Becker’s economic theory of crime, unemployed people are deprived of legal income and thus, they tend to derive some income from illegal activities. Many models of crime suggest that the unemployed and individuals with low wages face strong urge to commit crime.

The Niger Delta region particularly Cross River State is severely hit by criminal activities and unemployment despite the abundant human and natural resources available in the region, a situation World Bank describes as unemployment in the midst of plenty (World Bank, 1996). The rise in criminal activities among youths in the Niger Delta region has been fuelled by extreme poverty and underdevelopment, discontent with the international oil companies, oil spillage, environmental damage and corruption by government officials which ensure little development reaches the host communities. Unemployment on the other hand is evident in the Niger Delta as Eboh (2009) opined that over 60% of the youths in the region are unemployed. The streets are littered with youth hawkers who ordinarily would have found gainful employment in some enterprises (Okafor, 2011).

It is upon this background that this research work is intended to ask the following questions:

1. To what extent does unemployment affect criminal activities in Niger Delta region particularly Cross River State?
2. How can the government reduce unemployment rate in the region with eventual reduction in criminal activities in the region?
3. How can the vast natural resources of the Niger Delta region be managed to fully benefit the communities.

1.2     Statement of the problem

The Niger Delta region which comprises seven states; Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Rivers and Ondo, has a huge oil and gas deposits which currently amount for more than 80% of the nation’s crude extraction and more than 70% of revenue to service the nation’s economy. The region is blessed with vast and huge natural resources which contribute to about 80% of the nation’s budget and about 70% of her GDP. Despite these huge potentials, the region is littered with unemployed youths as Eboh (2009) states that about 60% of Niger Delta youths unemployed.

In a bid to harnessing, controlling and utilizing the resources of the regions to benefits the indigenes, the youths, young adults and even a good number of child have resolved to restive measures which have been evident in political thuggery, illegal oil bunkering, firearms business, kidnapping, piracy, militancy and other social vices which are dangers to the stability of democracy in Nigeria (Okafor, 2011).

The arm insurgency in the region traces its roots to a perceived sense of neglects by both oil companies and national government. Despite its strategic and economic significance, human development indices for the Niger Delta region are starkly behind national averages. Furthermore, the pollution resulting from oil and gas prospecting have affected indigenous sources of livelihood like fishing and brought home disease, malnutrition and high fatality rate beside serious environmental repercussion. Also, poverty remains endemic despite the billion flowing into the national coffers. Poverty however exacts and inevitable social toll, and for an impoverished people, crime is often and easy step from deprivation.

1.3     Objectives of the study

The main objective of this study is to access the impact of unemployment on criminal activities in Cross River State.

Specific objectives are:

(1)       To examine the extent in which unemployment rate impact on criminal activities in Cross River State.

(2)       To access the relationship that exists between unemployment and poverty in Cross River State.

1.4     Research Hypotheses

In line with the stated objectives, the following hypotheses will be tested;

Hypothesis one

H0:  Unemployment has no significant impact on criminal activities in Cross River State.

Hypotheses two

H0:  There is no significant relationship between unemployment and poverty in Cross River State.

1.5     Significance of the study

This study is significant as it will take an in-depth analysis into the root causes of the Niger Delta crisis as it investigates various criminal activities and their effect on the region. The finding of the study will prove an insight into what crimes are really committed on the region and also reveal what effect they have on the region. Also, this study will contribute in no small way to the literature in this area of study. Finally, governments will through this work understand the basic problems retarding the growth of the region thus, proffer possible solutions.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study concentrates its investigation on the Niger Delta region in investigating the impact of unemployment on criminal activities in Cross River State. The delimitation is made so as to enable the researcher focus the search light on Cross River State area of the Niger Delta region.

1.7     Definition of Terms

(i) Crime: Crime can be defined as an act that violate the law of the society or serious offence against the law of the society for which there is severe punishment by law.

(ii) Criminal Activities: Criminal activities are referred to as those activities that violate the law of the society and are punishable under the law.

(iii) Sustainable Development: This is described as that development that meets the needs and aspirations of the present generations without compromising the ability to meet the need of future generation.

(iv) Youth Restiveness: This is referred to as the agitation by youth in the Niger Delta region.

(v)  Kidnapping: This is refers to the seizure of individuals by other groups for purpose of receiving ransom on their release.

(vi) Oil Exploitation: This is the process that involves the drilling and the refining of crude oil by the oil companies.

(vii) Niger Delta Region: This is the littoral region in Nigeria located in the Atlantic coast, transverse by Delta and its tributaries. The region comprises seven states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Rivers and Ondo states.

(viii) Unemployment: This is a situation in which those willing and able to work do not find any, at the prevailing wage rate.

BUY THIS TOPIC ON WHATSAPP

Related Project Materials

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF OXYGENATES ON BIODIESEL FROM FRESH AND USED COOKING OIL

Abstract

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that will soon be fully accepted in the commercial world but there are limitations to its use that...

Read more

PRODUCTION OF BREAD USING WHEAT AND CASSAVA BLEND FLAVOURED WITH GINGER

INTRODUCTION

Bread is a staple food prepared from a dough of flour and water usually by baking. It is a good source of g...

Read more

THE EFFECT OF RATIO ANALYSIS IN INVESTMENT DECISION

ABSTRACT

This study dwells on The Effect of Ratio Analysis in Investment Decision in First Bank Nigeria Plc. The study b...

Read more

A CRITICAL SURVEY OF TASK SIZE AND ITS EFFECT ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENT IN BIOLOGY

Background of The Study

Education is connected to an individual's well-being and chances for improv...

Read more

FACTORS MILITATING AGAINST THE EFFECTIVE TEACHING – LEARNING OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Vocational/ technical education are among the vital tools an individual can use to...

Read more

ANAPPRAISAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE ELIMINATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR WORLD PEACE AND SECURITY

ABSTRACT

It is in the security interests of states to live in a peaceful and secure world. The pursuit of peace and security is, conseque...

Read more

BUDGETING AND BUDGETARY CONTROL AS TOOLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVERNMENT PARASTATALS

ABSTRACT

This research work was focused on investigation on the use of budgeting and budgetary control as tools for accountability in gov...

Read more

MIDWIVES’ AND MOTHERS’ PERCEPTION OF MIDWIVES SERVICE SCHEME

ABSTRACT

The importance of skilled birth attendants in the reduction of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality wor...

Read more

A STUDY OF THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF STRESS ON SECRETARY'S JOB PERFORMANCE IN BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this work was to find out the effects of stress on the secretary’s job performance. A ques...

Read more

AN EXAMINATION OF SOCIETAL INFLUENCE ON YOUTH RITUALISM

ABSTRACT

This focus of this study is on the examination of societal influence on youth ritualism u...

Read more