EVALUATION OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY STRATEGIES OF SHELL AND AGIP OIL COMPANIES IN OGBIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BAYELSA STATE

Abstract

The study evaluated corporate social responsibility strategies of Shell and Agip Oil Companies in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. The objectives of the study were to find out the corporate social responsibility strategies of Shell and Agip Oil Companies, determine the level of effectiveness of the corporate social responsibility strategies of Shell and Agip Oil Companies and determine the challenges facing Shell and Agip oil companies in carrying out their cooperate social responsibility in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. The study adopted the stakeholder theory. It used the survey research design. A population of 549,774 was used for the study and a sample size of 400 was determined using Taro Yamane’s statistical formula as a guide. The multi stage sampling technique was used for the study. The study used questionnaire as instrument for data collection. The use of tables, percentages and weighted mean score computed from a four point likert scale was employed to present and analyze the data. The findings revealed that community development, economic empowerment, education, skill acquisition, health programmes, jobs and infrastructural development were the corporate social responsibility strategies of Shell and Agip Oil Companies in Ogbia Local Government Area, in Beyelsa State. The finding revealed that the corporate social responsibility strategies of Shell and Agip Oil Companies in Ogbia Local Government Area, in Bayelsa State were poor and low which is the reason for the incessant crises between oil companies and host communities in Bayelsa State. The finding showed that insufficient funding, lack of transparency and trust, poor attention given to community needs, presence of political and regulatory frameworks and limited stakeholder engagements were the inherent challenges facing the Shell and Agip Oil Companies in Ogbia Local Government Area, in carrying out their corporate social responsibility in Bayelsa State. The study concludes that the oil companies should improve on their corporate social responsibility strategies to address the lingering crises between them and their host communities. It is however recommended that oil companies should engage in community development environmental protection, economic empowerment, education and health programmes, provision of job opportunities for the people, sincere stakeholder engagement and infrastructural development to foster peaceful co-existence with host communities in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.