Effective Management of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for Desired Outcome: The Niger Delta Issue in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper evaluates the potential of corporate social responsibility (CRS) in addressing insurgents in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Effective CSR is relative and depends on the peculiarity of the area in order for corporations to achieve desired results. The paper adopts a theoretical interdisciplinary methodology based on a review of literature and deductive arguments on CSR and sustainability. The paper identifies lack of effective planning and implementation of CSR by multinational oil companies as one of the contributory factors to the crisis in the region. It also notes that the issues of oil pipeline destruction, kidnapping of oil workers and oil-related contestations, inter and intra communal conflicts, crude oil theft and general insecurity have not been successfully addressed. The paper therefore recommends that sustainable development through the provision of needed basic infrastructure, sustainable livelihood initiatives and community participation strategies be put in place as solutions to the crisis. The study contributes an innovative way of CSR implementation that is based on collaborative participation rather than company policy and need assessment of CSR projects.

Application of Technology in Mitigating Refined Petroleum Shortages in the Nigerian Downstream Petroleum Supply Industry

“…The most productive region of oil in Nigeria is the Niger Delta region (Enuoh & Inyang, 2014;Gonzalez, 2016;Tobor, 2014). The Niger Delta inhabits about 30 million people, has 48 oil fields, 93 national gas fields, a reserve of 34.5 billion barrel of oil and 94 trillion cubic feet of gas (Enuoh & Inyang, 2014;Gonzalez, 2016;Tobor, 2014). According to Tobor (2014), the Niger Delta region has 33 billion barrels of crude oil and 163 trillion cubic meters of gas reserves.…”

“…According to Tobor (2014), the Niger Delta region has 33 billion barrels of crude oil and 163 trillion cubic meters of gas reserves. The Niger Delta region has yielded over $600 billion from petroleum since 1956, yet the Niger Delta region is in penury (Enuoh & Inyang, 2014).…”

“…Multinational oil companies (MNC) operating in the Niger Delta have not met the expectations of the local communities regarding resources distribution (Enuoh & Inyang, 2014;Tobor, 2014). Tobor (2014) and Enuoh and Inyang (2014) affirmed that the MNC did not treat the inhabitants of the communities like stakeholders. Basic infrastructures such as roads, water, hospitals, and schools lack in areas of oil production (Akinwotu, 2014;Enuoh & Inyang, 2014).…”

“…Tobor (2014) and Enuoh and Inyang (2014) affirmed that the MNC did not treat the inhabitants of the communities like stakeholders. Basic infrastructures such as roads, water, hospitals, and schools lack in areas of oil production (Akinwotu, 2014;Enuoh & Inyang, 2014). The inhabitants of the Niger Delta live in penury while the multinational companies smile to the banks (Enuoh & Inyang, 2014;Tobor, 2014).…”

Corporate Social Responsibility in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: In Who’s Interest?

“…It can therefore be argued firstly, that host communities' developmental expectations have largely been unmet and secondly that the level of community participation on the CSR initiatives of ExxonMobil could be a contributory factor to their dissatisfaction. This explains the important role of the host communities in the successful operation of the oil MNCs in providing a peaceful working environment and the need for effective management of CSR activities (Enuoh & Inyang, 2014). Failure to accommodate the interest of the host communities could result to failure to peaceful coexistence.…”