The Imperative Status of Science Reporting on Environmental Sustainability in Rivers State

Abstract

Environmental sustainability and overall growth of Rivers State, a state that, over the years, has been plagued with oil spillage and redundant environmental growth. This study, amongst others, sought to ascertain the place of environmental reporting on environmental sustainability in Rivers State. The study was anchored on the contagion theories. The study adopted a quantitative research method, which was the survey research method using the data instrument of a questionnaire. The population of the study was Rivers State, Nigeria. The researcher purposefully and randomly selected three communities from the three senatorial zones/districts in the state, which are the River East, River South East, and the River West, which were Okrika local government and Ogu Community; Eleme local government and Alesa Community; Abua local government and Otari Community. From a population of approximately over 1,204,980, the researcher, using purposive and simple random sampling techniques, selected participants for the study, and the Wimmer and Dominick Sample Calculator arrived at a sample size of 384. It was revealed that the level of effectiveness of environmental reporting in creating awareness towards the practice of environmental sustainability in Rivers State is not really that paramount, as locals in the communities were of the view that these reportage strategies have yielded little or no results and were indecisive with regards to their potency towards driving the much-needed changes and proactive actions in the quest for environmental sustainability in the area. It recommended that promotion of environmental sustainability in Rivers State should not be an on-and-off practice but a regular and intensive lifestyle amongst the locals, government, and organisations operational in the areas.