Socioeconomic Impacts of Sawmill Industry on Residents. A Case Study of Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the socioeconomic impacts of sawmill industry on residents in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Questionnaire were administered on residents living within 900 m radius of the two sawmill sites in Ile-Ife (Ondo Road and Orisunmibare). Reconnaissance survey showed that there were 914 and 723 residential buildings within 900 m radius around Ondo road and Orisunmibare sawmill sites respectively, and these were further stratified into three zones (1-300 m, 301-600 m and 601-900 m). Random sampling technique was used to select every 5th building within each stratum. Questionnaire was administered on an adult household member in each of the buildings selected; consequently, 325 households were sampled. Data obtained include: socioeconomic characteristics, operational procedures and residents' perception of the impacts of sawmill activities on their sustainability. The study revealed that 61.7% of respondents living within the distance of 1-300m in the two sites earn below N5000 per month. The result of the probit model showed that sawmill industry in the two sawmill sites created significant impacts on job opportunity (0.63), domestic use for cooking (0.71), wood supply (0.58) and provision of infrastructural facilities (0.63). The study concluded that sawmilling activities contributes significantly to the economic development of residents in the study area.