Oil Host Communities Research Articles

Herder-farmer conflict in sub-Saharan Africa and corporate social responsibility in Nigeria’s oil host communities

ABSTRACT There have been increasing demands on multinational oil companies (MOCs) to provide community development programmes and security to their host communities in Nigeria. This is mainly because developmental projects and security are lacking in most of these communities and most of the time they are not provided by the government. Thus, we set out to examine the impact of MOCs’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) model on cutting the main drivers cum prompters of herder-farmer violence in the Niger Delta expanse of Nigeria. Results from the use of both propensity score matching and the logit model indicate that, though a very skimpy part of the CSR intervention is specifically aimed at alleviating herder-farmer conflict, CSR has made a momentous impact in the drops in land deprivation, social disparities, pressure over land as well as better people’s lives in the region. The finding suggests that MOCs are well positioned to tackle the drivers and triggers of farmer-herder violence when investment in cluster development boards (CDBs) is designed to improve land management infrastructure, train local leaders in dispute resolution techniques and prioritise trust between communities and the security forces. This implies that business has an obligation to help in solving problems of public concern.

A systematic review of the impacts of oil spillage on residents of oil-producing communities in Nigeria.

Oil spillage is common in oil-producing communities of Nigeria, and it impacts negatively on the residents of these communities. This study analysed available research data on oil spillage incidents in these communities to determine their main causes and impacts on the residents. This study highlights the immediate and long-term consequences of oil spills on residents of oil-host communities in Nigeria. A systematic review of published studies was carried out, and 22 studies were identified from the literature search. The main causes of oil spills were identified as sabotage (87%), leakage from corroded pipelines (62%), and equipment failure (45%). Others were mystery spills and operational failures. Unemployment, abject poverty, marginalization, and inaction of government regulatory agencies are enabling factors for sabotage and vandalism of oil pipelines. It was found that exposure to oil spills impacts directly and indirectly on residents of oil-host communities, with accompanying health, socioeconomic, and environmental implications. Oil spills in these communities impact on all facets of their life, thereby infringing on their rights to existence and survival. The major interventions were targeted at improving health services, education, infrastructure, skill acquisition, and employment. These in turn reduced the occurrence of violence, insurgency, and human trafficking in the oil-producing communities. It is recommended that government regulatory agencies should be revamped and repositioned to effectively perform their duties. Interventions should be targeted at addressing the causes of agitation by indigenes by involving them in the decision-making process. Also, appropriate remediation strategies should be adopted to clean up the oil spills.

Gender and natural resources management in Nigeria: The role of corporate social responsibility in the oil host communities

AbstractThis paper critically examines the multinational oil companies' (MOCs) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Nigeria. Its special focus is to investigate the impact of the global memorandum of understanding (GMoU) on addressing inequalities and empowering women for sustainable ecosystem management in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The paper adopts a survey research technique, aimed at gathering information from a representative sample of the population, as it is essentially cross‐sectional, describing and interpreting the current situation. A total of 768 women respondents were sampled across the rural areas of the Niger Delta region. Results from the use of logistic regression model indicate that despite women's unique and important responsibilities in the use and management of natural resources, women are typically less involved in the formal governance processes, resulting in their interests, goals, knowledge, and capabilities being both under‐represented and under‐utilized. It also shows that the MOCs' CSR using GMoU model has recorded significant success in addressing gender inequalities and enhancing the capacity of the rural women in natural resources and ecosystem management. The finding suggests that if the MOCs' CSR targeted at addressing gender issue is increased by one unit, the odd ratio is almost 13 times as high. This implies that addressing gender–related barriers and challenges and championing equitable natural resource governance leads to better livelihoods outcomes. It concludes that business has an obligation to help in solving problems of public concern.

Ecotourism for transformative and youth development in sub-Saharan Africa: the role of corporate social responsibility in Nigeria’s oil host communities

ABSTRACT We examine the impact of multinational oil companies’ (MOCs) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives on enabling youth participation in ecotourism development in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Results from the use of average treatment test of a combined propensity score matching and logit model indicate a significant difference between youths in MOCs’ CSR global memorandum of understanding (GMoU) households and non-GMoU households in the four parameters measured: availability of finance (3.76), access to adequate training (5.91), direct patronage (18.97), and economic capability of the youths (8.2). It shows that opportunities to supply products and services to the tourism sector can help ensure a sustainable market and increase incomes and other revenues in local communities driven from ecotourism-related activities, while minimizing economic leakages. This suggests that pro-youth GMoU ecotourism projects of MOCs have the potential to play in the formation of linkages to help promote local economic development through job creation and business opportunities. It implies that a younger generation can help to promote economic diversification and contribute to job creation and enterprise development, while helping to address underdevelopment in remoe areas and intractable environmental challenges of sub-Saharan Africa.

Gender equity and land: The role of corporate social responsibility in Niger Delta, Nigeria

AbstractWe examine the impact of multinationals oil companies' (MOCs) corporate social responsibility (CSR) on enhancing land rights for rural women. A total of 1200 women were sampled across the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Results from the use of a combined propensity score matching and logit model show that MOCs' CSR using global memorandum of understanding (GMoU) model recorded significant success in various policy mechanisms to improve gender equality in land access. The linkages include joint‐titling modalities, land leasing, land use certificate issuances, and community and territorial land delimitation interventions for both agricultural production and security in Nigeria's oil host communities.

Gender sensitive responses to climate change in Nigeria: the role of multinationals’ corporate social responsibility in oil host communities

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critically examine the multinational oil companies’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Nigeria. Its special focus is to investigate the impact of the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) on gender-sensitive responses to climate change in oil host communities in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a survey research technique aimed at gathering information from a representative sample of the population, as it is essentially cross-sectional, describing and interpreting the current situation. A total of 1,200 rural women were sampled across the Niger Delta region.FindingsThe results from the use of a combined propensity score matching and logit model indicate a significant relationship between GMoU model and women, gender and climate change in the Niger Delta, Nigeria.Practical implicationsThis implies that CSR of a multinational oil companies is a critical factor in the need for gender-sensitive responses to the effect of climate change.Social implicationsIt suggests that, for adaptation to climate change effects, understanding gender dimensions and taking gender responsive steps be incorporated into GMoU policies and action plans of multinational enterprises.Originality/valueThis research contributes to gender debate in climate change from a CSR perspective in developing countries and rationale for demands for social projects by host communities. It concludes that business has an obligation to help in solving problems of public concern.

Does Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative Dissuade the Increasing Electoral Violence in sub-Saharan Africa? Evidence from Nigeria’s Oil Producing Region

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the multinational oil companies’ (MOCs) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Nigeria. Its special focus is to investigate the impact of the global memorandum of understanding (GMoU) on reducing incidents of electoral violence in the oil-producing communities. Design/methodology/approach – This paper adopts a survey technique, aimed at gathering information from a representative sample of the population, as it is essentially cross-sectional, describing and interpreting the current situation. A total of 1200 households were sampled across the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Findings – The results from the use of a combined propensity score matching and logit model indicate that GMoU model made significant impact in deterring occurrences of electoral violence, when interventions on cluster development boards (CDBs) are designed to mitigate the intricate of political clashes in the region. Practical implication – This implies that CSR interventions of MOCs play a vital role in reducing incidents of electoral violence in Nigeria’s oil producing region. Social implication – Reducing the increasing electoral violence in the oil host communities, will in turn create an enabling environment for more extensive and responsible business of Multinational Corporation in sub-Saharan Africa. Originality/value –This paper extends and contributes to the literature on CSR initiatives of multinational enterprises in developing countries and rationale for demands for social projects by host communities. It concludes that business has an obligation to help in solving problems of public concern.

Sustainable peacebuilding and development in Nigeria's post‐amnesty programme: The role of corporate social responsibility in oil host communities

The activities and violence of militants in the Niger Delta which saw the capacity for production of oil in Nigeria fall to an all‐time low resulted in federal government of Nigeria announcing the Presidential Amnesty Programme in return for peace in the region. We examine how the multinational oil companies corporate social responsibility impact on entrepreneurship development and job creations to absorb the youths. A total of 1,200 youths were sampled across the nine states of Niger Delta. Results from the use of estimated logit model reveal that general memorandum of understanding interventions are prevalent with communities with greater ownership creating room for better projects, sustainability and improved trust; yet the interventions failed to make significant impact on entrepreneurship development and job creations. Clearly, facilitating how youths get involved in skill acquisition and empowerment programmes would help them become entrepreneurs, improving their self‐assurance that they can prosper outside militancy activities and violence.

Sustainable Peace Building and Development in Nigeria’s Post-Amnesty Programme: The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Oil Host Communities

The activities and violence of militants in the Niger Delta which saw the capacity for production of oil in Nigeria fall to an all-time low resulted in the federal government of Nigeria (FGN) announcing the Presidential Amnesty Programme in return for peace in the region. We examine how multinational oil companies’ (MOCs’) corporate social responsibility (CSR) impact on entrepreneurship development and job creation to absorb the youths. 1200 youths were sampled across the nine states of Niger Delta. Results from the use of estimated logit model reveal that GMoU interventions are prevalent in communities with greater ownership, creating room for better projects, sustainability and improved trust; yet the interventions failed to make significant impact on entrepreneurship development and job creation. Clearly, facilitating how youths get involved in skill acquisition and empowerment programmes would help them become entrepreneurs, improving their self-assurance that they can prosper outside militancy activities and violence.

Corporate social responsibility initiatives in Nigeria and rural women livestock keepers in oil host communities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the multinational oil companies’ (MOCs) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Nigeria. Its special focus is to investigate the impact of the global memorandum of understanding (GMoU) on rural women livestock keepers in the oil producing communities. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a quantitative methodology. Data were collected from primary sources using participatory rural appraisal technique. The use of participatory research technique in collecting CSR impact data especially as it concerns the small-scale women livestock keeper is based on the fact that it involves the people being studied, and their views on all the issues are paramount. The primary tool used for household survey (collection of the primary data) is a structured questionnaire which is divided into two sections. Section one of the instrument elicited information on the socio-economic characteristics of respondent, while the other section elicited information on the research questions. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data so as to answer the research questions and test the hypothesis. To answer the research questions, descriptive statistics of measurement of central tendency was used, and the results were presented in tables and charts. While in testing the hypothesis, inferential statistical tool-estimation of logit model (of receipt and non-receipt of MOCs CSR through the GMoU by rural women livestock keepers as function of selected socio-economic and domestic empowerment variables) was used. Findings The findings show that GMoU model is gender insensitive as rural women rarely have direct access to livestock interventions except through their husband or adult sons, which is attributed to the cultural and traditional context of the people, anchored in beliefs, norms and practices that breed discrimination and gender gap in the rural societies. Research limitations/implications The structured questionnaire was directly administered by the researchers with the help of local research assistants. The use of local research assistants was because of the inability of the researchers to speak the different local languages and dialects of the many ethnic groups of Ijaws, Ogonis, Ikweres, Etches, Ekpeyes, Ogbas, Engennes, Obolos, Isokos, Nembes, Okirikas, Kalabaris, Urhobos, Iteskiris, Igbos, Ika-Igbos, Ndonis, Orons, Ibenos, Yorubas, Ibibios, Anangs, Efiks, Bekwarras, Binis, Eshans, Etsakos, Owans, Itigidis, Epies, Akokoedos, Yakkurs, etc., in the sampled rural communities. Practical implications If the rural women do not feel GMoUs efforts to eliminate discrimination and promote equality in the livestock sector, feminized poverty would create a hostile environment for MOCs in the region. Social implications The livestock development in Nigeria can only succeed if CSR is able to draw on all the resources and talents and if rural women are able to participate fully in the GMoUs intervention plans and programs. Originality/value This research contributes to gender debate in livestock keeping from CSR perspectives in developing countries and rational for demands for social projects by host communities. It concludes that business has an obligation to help in solving problems of public concern, and that CSR priorities in Africa should be aimed toward addressing the peculiarity of the socio-economic development challenges of the country and be informed by socio-cultural influences.

Sustaining cultural tourism through higher female participation in Nigeria: The role of corporate social responsibility in oil host communities

AbstractThis paper adds to the gender discourse in sustainable African tourism development from the corporate social responsibility (CSR) perspective. Specifically, we examine the impact of CSR on the development of rural women in cultural tourism. A total of 600 rural women were sampled across the Niger Delta. Results from the use of a logit model indicate a significant relationship between CSR and cultural tourism development in oil host communities in Nigeria. This implies that CSR of a multinational oil company is a critical factor for sustaining cultural tourism. The findings suggest increased female participation in General Memorandum of Understanding interventions of multinational oil company and the need to pay close attention to which extent the participation of rural women in the General Memorandum of Understanding projects may be limited by cultural and traditional obstacles.

Sustaining Cultural Tourism Through Higher Female Participation in Nigeria: The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Oil Host Communities

This paper adds to the gender discourse in sustainable African tourism development from the corporate social responsibility (CSR) perspective. Specifically, we examine the impact of CSR on the development of rural women in cultural tourism. A total of 600 rural women were sampled across the Niger Delta. Results from the use of a logit model indicate a significant relationship between CSR and cultural tourism development in oil host communities in Nigeria. This implies that CSR of a multinational oil company (MOC) is a critical factor for sustaining cultural tourism. The findings suggest increased female participation in General Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) interventions of MOC and the need to pay close attention to which extent the participation of rural women in the GMoU projects may be limited by cultural and traditional obstacles.

CSR as Public Relations Strategy for Niger Delta Peace and Development

This study examined corporate social responsibility as public relations proactive tool that could be used to address the issues of sustainable peace and development in oil host communities in Niger Delta. Descriptive anal-ysis was used and the study was anchored on Frustration-aggression theory. The findings show that the federal government and multinational oil companies in the region have no concrete programmes yet on ground that have the capacity to bring about sustainable peace and development in the oil rich region. In addition, the host communities are still yearning for sus-tainable development in the atmosphere of long term peace. The paper therefore recommends that government, ministry of Niger Delta and oil companies in the areas should upgrade their CSR projects to factories and industries that have the capacity to generate employment to engage present and future generations.

Multinational Oil Firms' CSR Initiatives in Nigeria: The Need of Rural Farmers in Host Communities

We examine the impact of multinational oil firms' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on agricultural production using binary logit model equation. The result indicates a significant relationship between CSR and agricultural production in oil host communities in Nigeria. This implies that CSR of a multinational oil firm is a critical factor for increasing participation of rural dwellers in agricultural production. The findings suggest for improved CSR investment of multinational oil firms on subsidized fertilizer, certified seed, crop protection products, farm power and rural transportation infrastructures. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

English

Oil-host communities in the Niger Delta have for over two decades been enmeshed in violent conflicts. These conflicts have resulted in numerous deaths, destruction of properties and entire communities. The proliferation of violent conflicts in the Niger Delta is a departure from the history of social, political and economic relations in the region before and during colonial rule. The paper interrogates the trajectories of conflict in the Niger Delta and states that the vitriolic relation within and between oil-host communities is a product of the antics of the oil multinationals. It argues that the business ethics of the oil multinationals are premised only on profit maximisation. Thus, they have actively aided and abetted state repression in the Niger Delta, and anchored their relations in oil-host communities, on partnership with those with power to violently disrupt their activities. The ethics and practice of the oil multinationals in oil-host communities besides conducing conflicts, eroded and fragmented traditional authority; giving rise to intense struggles by contending groups with their attendant violent outcomes. Three case studies are used to show the conflict conducing policies and practices of the oil multinationals in oil-host communities.    Key words: Oil multinationals, conflicts construction, Niger Delta.

Oil Exploration and Security Challenges in the Niger-Delta Region: A Case of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

It is true that the discovery of oil and gas deposits in regions and countries of the world is often a blessing. However, the accompanying security and environmental challenges that heralded the exploration and production of oil and gas in any region of the world, can best be described as dangerous and a curse in some countries. This is due to the pollutions arising from gas flaring and oil spillages which often lead to serious health hazards, damages to the environment, social, cultural and occupational displacements, destruction of means of livelihoods and violations of human rights which adversely affect peace and security. The long neglect of host oil-bearing communities which manifest in the non-provision of basic development infrastructures such as lack of good sources of drinking water, electricity supply, good roads, health and educational facilities, lack of employment opportunities, and deliberate delays by oil producing companies to compensate for oil spills and gas flaring effects and at times, outright refusals to remediate such polluted sites often generate confrontations between oil companies and their host communities. The re-occurring environmental degradations and pollutions arising from gas flaring and oil spillages culminate in rising frustrations and consequent rebellions by youths of oil-rich, but unfortunately neglected Niger-Delta in particular and Akwa Ibom State in general. The futile attempts by the Nigerian central government to use military forces to suppress genuine demands from these regions, have always failed and often lead to stiff resistance and resort to arms-struggles and militant reprisals with consequences on peace, security and loss of lives on both warning parties. It is this abysmal relationship between the oil companies and the oil host communities that breeds regular conflict and security threats that this paper is predicted upon. This study vividly examines the impact of oil exploration on the internal security of the Niger-Delta with a particular attention on Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria.