Sea Piracy and Security Challenges of Maritime Business Operation in Bayelsa State, Nigeria: An Empirical Study
Essien, Blessing Stephen; Adongoi, Toakodi

Abstract
No less than 80 percent of the world’s trade is carried out globally through sea. This signifies the significant role the sea plays in the economic development of many nations including Nigeria. Of recent, sea trading has faced serious threats due to sea piracy.Hence, this study examined sea piracy and security changes of maritime business in Bayelsa State, South-South, Nigeria. To achieve the objective of this study, three research questions and three research hypotheses were formulated. A cross sectional survey research design was adopted and the study population comprises sea business operators in the State. Sample of 215 sea business operators in 9 waterfronts in Bayelsa State was selected by simple random sampling and “Sea Piracy and Security Challenge Questionnaire SPSCQ” developed by the researcher was used in data collection. This instrument was validated and tested to be reliable using Cronbach alpha reliability method. Reliability coefficient of 0.08 was obtained for the whole instrument. Research hypotheses were tested using regression analysis. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20.0) was used to enhance data analysis and all hypotheses were tested at the 0.05 level of significance. Result showed significant negative effect of pirate attacks on sea business operation. Also, the effect of sea robberies was also obtained to be negative while sea security surveillance showed a significant positive effect on sea business operation. Hence, adequate security should be provided for sea business operation so as to facilitate sea business operation in Nigeria.

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