Oil Multinational Companies and Development of Host Communities in the Niger Delta

Résumé

The exploration and drilling of mineral oil in the Niger Delta region have produced severe consequences for most host communities which serve to create, maintain and reinforce poverty in the region. Many related consequences include the exploration of land and water resources and pollution of the rural landscape through spillages perpetrated by the oil multinational companies. These oil activities have devastating ecological effects on the environment and therefore, there is the difficulty of finding alternative means of livelihood by farmers and fishermen who are deprived of their normal socio-economic activities. This study examines the impact of the oil multinational companies on the rural economic development in the Niger Delta, looking at Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State as the patient. To achieve the objectives of the study, three hypotheses were developed. The sources of data generation were questionnaire, observational technique and interview methods. The data were analyzed using z-test of mean and the findings suggest that there is slow pace of economic development in the Niger Delta due to deliberate neglect by the oil multinational companies. The study therefore recommends that environmental standards should be enforced inline with global best practices. This measure would enable resources conservation to take place in line with the current thinking on sustainable development.