SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF QUARRY OPERATIONS ON WORKERS IN SELECTED LOCATIONS IN EDO AND ONDO STATES, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study centres on the socio-economic effects of quarry operations on workers in specific locations in Edo and Ondo states, Nigeria with a view to determine the impacts of quarrying on the overall well-being of the quarry workers. The impacts include both the benefits as well as the adverse effects posed by quarrying to the livelihood of the quarry workers. Different data collection instruments such as questionnaire and interviews were applied to collect primary data while secondary data was sourced from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in Edo and Ondo States, Nigeria. Field observation such as cycle times of excavators and dump trucks were also taken. The acquired data was subjected to statistical analysis using (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) and the results discussed appropriately. It was discovered that majority of the quarry workers were mostly youths; who were in the active and productive age range and possessed the required efforts for quarry operations. The study established that quarries contributed significantly to employment generation in the society with attendant improvement in the standard of living of the quarry workers. The regression analysis revealed that sex and education of workers have direct and significant relationship with their monthly income at 5% level. The study discovered that some of the quarries did not provide their workers with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), a violation of the Health and Safety Act (2007). Precisely, the study reveals that 39% of the workers carried out their operations without the provision and the use of protective gears. The major adverse effects of stone quarrying on the workers include impact of dusts on health, noise pollution and stress due to tedious works carried out in the mines as indicated by 41.3%, 32.6% and 39.1% of respondents respectively. This work therefore recommends that the selected quarries should provide appropriate and adequate safety materials for workers