The Relationship between Oil Industries and their Host Communities in Nigeria’s Niger Delta Region

Abstract

This study assessed the relationship between the Oil Industries operating in Nigeria's Niger Delta Region and their host communities. In so doing, the researcher evaluated the problems and prospects prevalent as a result of the presence of Oil Companies such as Exxon-Mobil, Chevron, Agip, Elf, etc. on the inhabitants of the Oil bearing communities in the entire Niger Delta region of Nigeria. In order to guide the study, three hypotheses were formulated which emanated from the main variables of the study. The design adopted for the study was Ex-Post-Facto. Data was collected using a researcher developed instrument called Oil Industries and Host Community Relations Questionnaire (O.I.H.C.R.Q.). Using a Stratified Random Sampling technique, a sample of 293 subjects, the hypotheses were tested with Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) at 0.05 level of significance. Results obtained revealed that: there is a significant relationship between Niger Delta indigenes' attitude and the scope of activities of Oil Industries in the Niger Delta region; there is also a significant relationship between the company-community relations and the scope of activities of Oil Industries in the Niger Delta region; and that there is equally a significant relationship between the host communities' perception of the employment policies of Oil Industries operating in the Niger Delta region and the scope of activities of the various companies. It was therefore concluded that the relationship between Oil Industries and their host communities is significant in ensuring a peaceful and productive undertaking of their activities. It was finally recommended among other things that there is an urgent need to strengthen the relationship between Nigeria's Oil Industries and their host communities to engender an improved and symbiotic relation that will improve industrial output and growth without violating the rights of the host communities.