Abstract
The paper investigates corporate social responsibility strategies for oil and gas companies in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, using ExxonMobil as a case study. Faced with the challenges of poor CSR delivery and environmental pollution caused by Oil and Gas Companies, many communities in the Niger Delta region are constantly having conflicts with Oil and Gas Companies they host thereby, causing restiveness in oil producing communities in the Niger Delta region. Concerning methodology, the researcher used primary source of data in answering research questions formulated for the study. A 15 item structured questionnaire was distributed to 30 respondents who are familiar with CSR programs of ExxonMobil in the Niger Delta region. Findings from the study revealed that ExxonMobil participates in CSR programs in the Niger Delta region and these CSR programs cut across various communities. Human focused CSR programs such as empowerment programs and poverty alleviation programs are most preferred CSR programs of the respondents.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) programmes has been a significant phenomenon in Nigeria for several years. This is because the Law and Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990 places demand for firms operating in Nigeria to be socially responsible. Consequently, registered firms are mandated to pay tax, rates and levies and to ensure that their operations do not negatively affect the environment. However, the law do not impose on firms to embark on capital projects such as road construction, building hospital, supplying water etc., but they are required to maintain cordial relationship with the environment in which they exist to carryout business.
The persistent conflict of kidnapping of oil firm employees, vandalism of pipelines, killing of oil workers by militia youths of host communities and complaints are indications that programmes of corporate social responsibility are not sufficiently implemented by Oil and Gas Companies in the communities of their operations.
1.2 Research Questions
The research question confronting the study is
- What CSR programs are being implemented by Oil and Gas Companies in the Niger Delta region?
- What impacts do the CSR programs have on the socio-economic wellbeing of the Niger Delta people?
- What CSR programs if implemented by ExxonMobil will have positive impact on the Niger Delta region?
1.3 Research Objectives
The researcher in the course of the study seeks to:
1. Determine the nature of fundamental CSR programs implemented by the oil and gas firm in the region of the Niger Delta.
2 To appraise the impact of CSR programmes currently implemented on the socio-economic wellbeing of the area.
- To determine the programmes of CSR which if implemented will impact positively on Exxon Mobil and communities in which they exist to operate.
