Environmental Costs and Responsibilities Resulting from Oil Exploitation in Developing Countries: The Case of the Niger Delta of Nigeria

Abstract

Interest shown on the environmental impact of operations of multinational enterprises in developing countries has grown significantly recently, and has fuelled a heated public policy debate. In particular, there has been interest in the environmental degradation of host communities and nations resulting from the operations of multinational oil companies in developing countries. This article examines the issue of environmental costs and responsibilities resulting from oil exploitation and production in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The case study is based, in part, upon series of interviews with key stakeholders in the Nigerian oil industry. The article further examines the implications of the current practice and policies of multinational oil companies with respect to environmental impact of oil exploitation. The study’s findings illustrates that it is becoming increasingly apparent to oil companies that pollution prevention pays while pollution does not and under pressure from stakeholder groups, oil companies now routinely incorporate environmental impact assessments into their corporate strategy. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2006environmental degradation, environmental costs and responsibilities, moral obligation, multinational oil companies, Nigerian oil industry, The Niger Delta,

Bank customers’ preferences and responses to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Ghana

“…The findings were quite interesting, considering that the literature shows that customers may prefer initiatives that favour themselves, such as customer-centric initiatives, over those that favour other stakeholders (see for example McDonald & Lai, 2011;Maignan & Ferrell, 2003). However, the results are consistent with findings from other studies conducted in Africa, such as Amaeshi et al (2006) and Eweje (2006a;2006b), which report a strong emphasis on philanthropy among Africans.…”

“…Even more profound is Visser's (ibid) assertion that CSR is sometimes even equated to philanthropy within the African context. Visser (2006) further argues that Africans are less concerned about legal CSR than their counterparts in more developed economies, since there is far less pressure for good conduct due to poorly developed legal infrastructures that lack independence, resources and administrative efficiency (see also Eweje, 2006b;Ndzibah, 2009). Visser (ibid) finally makes the assertion that, given the general level of corruption in Africa -to the extent that corrupt conduct is regarded as 'normal' -ethical CSR is least in the African mindset in respect of CSR.…”

Responsabilidade social empresarial e multinacionais chinesas do petróleo na indústria de petróleo e gás da Nigéria: Uma avaliação

“…On the other hand, Idemudia and Ite (2006) and Eweje (2006) support CSR initiatives, arguing that CSR is making tremendous progress in the area of local community initiatives in Nigeria. To further elucidate these assertions, Eweje (2006) illustrates that it is becoming increasingly apparent to oil companies that pollution prevention pays while pollution does not and under pressure from stakeholder groups, oil companies now routinely incorporate environmental impact assessments into their corporate strategy.…”

“…To further elucidate these assertions, Eweje (2006) illustrates that it is becoming increasingly apparent to oil companies that pollution prevention pays while pollution does not and under pressure from stakeholder groups, oil companies now routinely incorporate environmental impact assessments into their corporate strategy.…”

Corporate social responsibility: towards a context-specific perspective in developing countries

“…A central issue in corporate social responsibility is that of a company's responsibility to the society and physical environment (Eweje, 2006). Kok et al (2001) broadly defined corporate social responsibility as:…”