Community Perceptions and Experiences on the Use of Oil and Gas in Tanzania Mainland: A Triangulation Method Study

Abstract

This paper employed a cross-sectional mixed design to explore community perceptions and experiences on the use of oil and gas through triangulation methods. Quantitative and qualitative research designs were adopted for data collection and analysis. The quantitative data collection strand comprised 403 individual respondents, while the qualitative part involved 8 focus group discussions. Village mapping was also undertaken to describe the community-level energy network and identify potential stakeholders. The paper applied the logistic regression model to convert response averages of selected impacts and contributions that reflect perceptions of oil and gas in the community. On the other hand, the study used a qualitative technique for theme identification. The results suggest  positive perceptions of respondents about the use of oil and gas. Specifically, sex, highest level of education, average expenditure per day, and region and government initiatives predicted peoples’ perceptions of continuous supply of electricity, conservation of the environment, and suitability on domestic use. Factors identified to be associated with contribution to employment and social  infrastructure include sex, age, highest level of education, region, government enforcement of openness, and people’s attendance of
village meetings. It is recommended that efforts be devoted to providing people with adequate and relevant information that will equip them with knowledge about oil and gas. and thus empower them to manage uses of modern energy.

Keywords: perceptions, oil, gas, mixed approach, Mtwara and Pwani