ABSTRACT This contains the impact of social responsibilities of Oil Companies in the host communities of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria: A case study of shell petroleum Development Company. It is true that most corporate organizations especially multinational companies are not living up to expectation in solving the problems contributed in the region by their activities. Their oil exploration had causes pollution in the area, which has caused untold hardship to the people. Thus, the objective of the study was to explore how best to use the practice of public relations in solving these challenges. Both primary and secondary data were collected. Instrument used to collect primary data were personal interviews, questionnaires and observation. Secondary data were collected from textbooks, journals, magazines, newspaper and libraries. Questionnaires administration and interview methods were the principal methods used for collecting data. Descriptive research methods and survey technique were adopted by the researcher. The research findings of the project work reviewed that social responsibilities programmes are necessary. The findings also unyield that shell company earnies out its social responsibility programmes in its host community. The researcher recommended that the company should increase and expand its social responsibility programmes and government should help in the development of the communities in which most multinational companies exist.
8
TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page - - - - i Certification - - - - ii Dedication - - - - iii Acknowledgments - - - - iv Abstract - - - - vi Table of Contents - - - - vii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background of the Study - - - - 1 1.2. Statement of the Problem - - - - 3 1.3. Objectives of the Study - - - - 3 1.4. Research Questions - - - - 4 1.5. Formulation of Hypothesis - - - - 5 1.6. Significance of the Study - - - - 6 1.7. Scope of the Study - - - - 6 1.8. Limitation of the Study - - - - 7 References - - - - 9
9
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1. Theoretical Framework - - - 10 2.2. Historical Background - - - 14 2.3. Current Literature on Theory Postulated - - 25 References - - - 40 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 3.1. Research Design - - - 41 3.2. Sources of Data - - - 42 3.2.1. Primary Sources of Data - - - 42 3.2.2. Secondary Sources of Data - - - 43 3.3. Population of the Study - - - 44 3.4. Sample Size Determination and Sampling Technique 46 3.4.1. Sample Size Determination - - - 46 3.4.2. Sampling Technique - - - 48 3.5. Methods of Data Collection - - - 49 3.6. Method of Data Presentation and Analysis - - 49 CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
4.1. Presentation of Data - - - 50
10
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 5.1. Summary of Findings - - - 70 5.2. Conclusion - - - 72 5.3. Recommendations - - - 73 BIBLIOGRAPHY APPENDIX QUESTIONNAIRE
11
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY The impact of oil companies towards improved welfare (social responsibility) for Nigerians as a whole and Niger Delta in particular goes to the very beginning. In 1962, most of the oil companies began oil exploration activities in the country. They presented the federal government an Aid-to-education plan under which they pledged to provide $900,000, over a period of five years for the education of Nigerians in various field. Since then, the oil companies have evolved a comprehensive programme for supporting the development of Nigeria’s different sectors namely education, health, infrastructural development, employment generation among others.
The concept of corporate social responsibilities as a new concept in the business world is the ability of a corporation to relate its operations and polices to the needs of the
12
environment and the work force to the benefit of the organization and the host communities. Corporate social responsibility involves management of an organization, working and relating with host communities and own labour force to ensure that the company is responsible and responsive to corporate government. It includes the participation of the company in such vital areas as environmental protection, training of its work force and welfare package and employment, provision of social amenities within plant location, such as water, electricity, bridges, roads, schools, scholarship programmes and youth development programmes for the community and natural development. Business and society are inter-dependent because business cannot operate in a vacuum, it operates in the society and contribute immensely to the hazards of the environment from citizens and at same time provides employment, security and other many values to the community.
Thus, the concept of social responsibility of oil companies is vital in the life of organized business operations.
13
1.2. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Presently, it is obvious that oil companies are not living up to expectations of their duties in the host communities. This contributed immensely to environmental degradation of the region, the air, water and land pollution, destruction of natural habitations and waste disposal system that are harmful and destructive to the host community. Lack of corporation to tackle the problem and reduce the effects of drilling activities on the environment and raise the standard of living of the people in the host communities became a source of concern to the youth of the region. Secondly, lack of infrastructures and social amenities in the host communities of Niger Delta region by the federal government and oil companies operating in the region. Thus, the researcher is intended in finding out the cause of these problems in the region. 1.3. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The research objectives include the following:
14
1. To assess if oil companies as part of their social responsibilities can tackle varying ecological issues in the host community. 2. To determine the extent to which oil companies have contributed to the infrastructural development of the host community. However, this should delve into health care, portable water supply and education. 3. To evaluate the impact of the social responsiveness of the company on the life of the people in the host community. 4. To ascertain the impacts of the activities of the oil companies on their host environment.