ARTIFICIAL LAKE TOURISM AND HUMAN WELL-BEING IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Lakes provide scenic attractions that are often exploited to promote tourism. They create opportunities for the diversification of local and national economy. Previous studies have focused on the roles of natural and artificial lakes as sources of energy generation and food production, with little attention to their contribution to the well-being of the host communities. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of artificial lake tourism on human well-being in selected communities in Oyo State, Nigeria. Maslow's theory of human motivation served as the framework, while descriptive design was adopted. One artificial lake host community in Oyo State was purposively selected from each of the six political divisions (Ibadan-Eleyele), (Ibarapa-Opeki), (Oyo-Erelu), (Ogbomoso-Yaku), (Oke Ogun 1-Ikere gorge) and (Oke Ogun 2-Afonse). A sample size of 400 respondents was determined using Taro Yamen’s formula, while Bourley’s allocation formula was used to achieve proportionate-to-size samples from each zone (Eleyele-45, Opeki-51, Erelu-73, Yaku-86, Ikere gorge-110 and Afonse-35). A structured questionnaire was administered to residents of the communities on their perception of the socio-economic benefits of the artificial lakes. The respondents were purposively selected within 200 meters from the artificial lake sites. Six Lake Scheme Officers (five from Oyo State Water Corporation and one from Ogun/Osun River Basin Authority), were purposively selected as Key Informants. Frequency analysis, linear regression, K-Nearest Neighbour, Factor Analysis and Chi-Square were used to analyse the quantitative data at α = 0.05, while the qualitative data were content-analysed. Residents’ age was 35.0±8.7 years, 65.3% were male and 64.6% were married. Artificial lake tourism contributed to perceived reduction of poverty (97.0%), improved water management (73.0%), enhanced economic productivity through job diversification (96.0%) and improved community transportation system (97.0%). Income generation in the lake communities was influenced by marital status (β = 0.24), employment (β = 0.27) and education (β = 0.33). Efficient water management was enhanced through the preservation of artificial lakes (3.0), reduction of poverty (3.0) and development of existing artificial lakes (2.0). Community well-being was enhanced through the promotion of productive employment and decent work (21.8%). Artificial lake tourism improved economic productivity (χ2=1.12). Artificial lake tourism did not improve water management. The awareness of existence of artificial lake did not influenced the perception of the adequacy of existing transportation infrastructure in the communities. Artificial lake tourism had a positive impact on the well-being of the communities around the lakes, however, the communities suffered from negative impacts such as water, air, soil and noise pollutions due to tourists’ inflow. Artificial lake tourism improved the well-being of people in their host communities in Oyo State. It enhances poverty reduction, water management, economic productivity, and community transportation system. Therefore, there is a need for government and publicprivate partnerships to address the pollution challenge arising from artificial lake tourism.