Social Corporate Responsibility of Oil and Gas Industry - Coursework Example

Social Corporate Responsibility of Oil and Gas Industry and Poverty in Niger Delta Social Corporate Responsibility of Oil and Gas Industry and Poverty in Niger Delta Introduction Regrettably, a close relationship exists between the poverty level of the Niger Delta and the oil industry. Based on recent research, the industry is the major cause of poverty in the region, which is a consequence of the inevitable conflicts and economic disparity of the people occupying the region. According To Murdock (2014), the pollution of the oil industry exacerbates the resulting conflicts. Environmental pollution, caused by oil spillage and emissions, is an immediate cause of poverty in the Niger Delta. The pollution of the environment compromises the health of the residents. Corporate social responsibility in the Niger Delta area helps in the proper administration of the oil reserves available in the area. The responsibility of management of the area involves all the relevant stakeholders, since it ensures that there is the equitable sharing of oil resources in the region. Literature Review Despite passable corporate social responsibility efforts, high levels of poverty were experienced in the region. Poverty led to a shortage of basic amenities like food and water. Additionally, the conflicts caused by the oil industry led to low employment levels, which compromised the living standards of the Niger Delta inhabitants. Pollution caused by the oil industry was attributable to the laxity of the government in the prosecution of the industry for the breach of human rights (Murdock, 2014). The Niger Delta area was highly populated because of the exploration of oil fields in the area. The industry caused the challenge of overpopulation in this area. Additionally, the place is abundant of oil deposits, and so, the aspect of exploration of oil from the oil fields by the international corporation is also a cause of unrest in the region. Additionally, administrative structures of the government in Nigeria never worked in favor of the Niger Delta (Powell, 2014). The region was associated with many problems, which led to poverty. The social deprivation experienced in the region compromised the inhabitant’s ability to interact with the affluent in order to share in the natural resources available in the region. The unemployment aspect also caused poverty for the residents of the Niger Delta. Unemployment emanated from the fact that the multinational corporations, which carried out oil explorations did not offer the residents the jobs available. Consequently, the poverty rates considerably increase in the region, especially because of the limitation of access to the oil fields. The situation has turned the region into an oil curse. Additionally, the inhabitants were compelled to consume contaminated fish. The water pollution was also an issue of concern for the residents of the region. The abundance of oil was a hazard for many people. Many people relied on the natural resource for survival. The oil reserves served as the easily available natural resource (Murdock, 2014). The oil exploration exercise led to the pollution of the environment, which was a source of livelihood for many residents of the Niger Delta. The effect of oil-polluted water on fish depressed because fish died and their habitat got destroyed. Additionally, the oil spilled destroyed the fishing equipment. Consequently, the jobs and natural resources deprived residents of their basic needs. The people had a right to clean and hygienic environments, but there is a breach of human rights. The problem destroys the life cycles of fish, which leads to complete destruction of many fish species. The ecological interference of the oil industry is extensive, for instance, the oil spills affect the agricultural sector is affected. Oil spills made the soil acidic and renders it unfit for cultivation to the detriment of the residents of the Niger Delta. Agriculture is a means of support for many people, especially in the region. Lack of proper administration led to the disharmony among the inhabitants. The laxity also led to the destruction of oil infrastructure and stealing of valuable oil from reserves. Lawlessness in the region also contributed to the high poverty rates in the region. The scourge of poverty also compelled people to scramble for clean-up projects. The problem also compelled armed groups to control large areas of oil deposits. Consequently, there is insecurity because different groups needed to control the oil deposits. The groups never achieved their ultimate goals. The regulatory measures were never in force because there is no enforcement of environmental laws. The Niger Delta resident has always felt undermined by the authorities. However, they lacked options because they were subject to the government directives. The state usually breached the human rights of the people of Delta. There was rampant insecurity because of the lack of proper policy framework for the control of the oil in the region. The residents were barred from seeking justice in the law courts in case of exploitation (Powell, 2014). The limitation of information worked in favor of the government authorities and the multinationals. The locals continued to suffer in poverty. The authorities supplied oil from the region in different parts of the country. The residents of Niger Delta felt deprived of their natural resource. It was a show of negligence on the part of the government. The limitation to information access was a corruption deal aimed at subduing the Niger Delta residents. The Niger Delta people lacked basic needs like tapped water and healthcare. Additionally, there were no schools for the children in the region. Consequently, there were high levels of literacy, which contributed to the suffering of the locals. Information and education is power. The locals lacked the two essential tenets, which empowered and liberated people from prejudice and poverty. Remedial measures There has been a substantial change in the region over the last years. There has been a cleanup of the environment and a reduction in the level of oil pollution. Although the process has been slow, it led to a paradigm shift in the Niger Delta region. The government considers the people of the Delta region in the government special programs. The rate of employment has decreased over the also there years. The pressure created by the failure to control the oil deposits leads to armed confrontation, which exacerbate the problem. The theft has reduced in the region and it leads to the abduction of people. The armed groups compel people to submit to their demands. The government response to the militiamen who are usually armed is productive. The response is fatal because the government kills the militia people in a bid to fight off the armed men. Consequently, there is collective punishment of bad people. The aspect of the oil flares poses danger to the residents of the place because of fire. The oil spills occur due to the corrosion of oil pipes and lack for good maintenance of infrastructure. The leaks experienced also contributed to the high poverty level. According to Murdock (2014), the destruction of infrastructure leads to poverty because the routes used for the supply of goods and services are blocked. The aspect of waste dumping is another challenge in the Delta region. The success of the government in the assessment of the extent of pollution of oil in the Delta region is a productive. It has led to the reduction of oil pollution. The regulatory system in the region is also working in the favor of the locals. Consequently, there is no transparency in the oil regulation. The situation is better and is bound to improve in the future. The regulatory framework helps in the maintenance of high standards of environmental conservation. There are initiatives made to allow the people of Niger Delta to seek justice in the law courts during the times of affliction. Conclusion Corporate social responsibility in the Niger Delta, to a large extent, helps in the control and regulation of the oil deposits. Although it is a major contributor to economic development in the region, the oil industry also contributes to the poverty levels of the people. Oil pollution in the region is a significant cause of the suffering of the residents of the Delta residents, mostly because the oil regulatory measures are flawed and unstable. The lack of proper oil regulatory framework triggers corruption, exploitation and breach of human rights. The corruption levels have reduced over the three-year period. References Murdock, H. (March 27, 2014). Oil Theft Dilemma Stymies Nigerias Niger Delta. African News, vol.1 (2), pp.34-52. Murdock, H. (2014). Nigeria Plans Nuclear Power for Development. African news, vol.1 (2), Pp.34-52. Murdock, H. (2014). Analysts: Nigeria’s Boko Haram Funding Vast, Varied. African News, vol.1 (2), pp.34-52. Murdock, H. (2014). Nigeria Launches Soft Approach to Counter Boko Haram. African News, vol.1 (2), pp.34-52. Powell, A. (2014). Africa looks to Nuclear Power to Light up Continent. African news, vol.1 (2), Pp.34-52. Read More