International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Community restiveness and corporate social responsibilities of oil companies in Rivers State, Southern Nigeria

Benjamin I. Isife, Caroline O. Albert and Nkem Chukuigwe

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt Nigeria.

Accepted 10 December, 2022

Abstract

Rivers State is the major crude oil producer in the Niger Delta, Southern Nigeria. The multi-national oil companies which operate in the area statutorily institute Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with their host communities through which they undertake and implement Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) to develop the communities. This study, therefore examined the CSR activities undertaken by oil companies operating in the state. Specifically, it identified the causes of community restiveness and kinds of CSR carried out by the companies, ascertained host communities’ level of satisfaction with the programmes / projects of the oil companies and constraints to successful implementation of the CSR. The multi-stage sampling technique was used to purposively sample four oil companies (SPDC, TEPN, NAOC and Chevron) and randomly sampled fifteen host communities. 100 and 150 respondents were sampled from the oil companies and communities, respectively, making a total of 250 respondents for the study. The data collected were analysed using percentages and mean scores. ANOVA result showed insignificant difference in the kinds of CSR provided by the oil companies in their host communities (P < 0.05). The study identified infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, employment/empowerment, peace and security, sports competition, and Philanthropy and charity as the CSR activities undertaken by the four oil companies. Majority of the host communities were dissatisfied with the CSR of the companies. Youth restiveness, poor company budget for CSR, communal conflict, non-cooperation of Joint Venture Partners, and traditional belief were the major constraints to effective implementation of CSR programmes in the host communities. The study recommends, among others, that the oil companies should focus more on skills acquisition programmes to get the youths self employed and reduce idleness and community restiveness.

Keywords: Restiveness, Social Responsibility, Oil Companies, Nigeria.