ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) IN NIGERIA NIGER DELTA REGION: THE NEED FOR A PRAGMATIC APPROACH

Kelly Ejumudo; Zephaniah Osuyi Edo; Lucky Avweromre and Jonathan Sagay

Department of Economics

Delta State University, Abraka

 E-mail:ozephy@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study undertakes a critical assessment of the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as being pursued by oil multinational corporations, in the wake of environmental problems and social activism that has continued to bedevil the development and economic growth in the Niger Delta Region. The central thesis of this paper argues that the brand of corporate social responsibility that is currently carried out by these oil multinational corporations has done little or nothing in ameliorating the sufferings of the inhabitants of the Niger Delta Region. Rather it has polarized the people into warring groups and has greatly created division among them. This is because the deliberate exemption of environmental related issues likes gas flaring and oil spillage from their corporate social responsibility agenda has been the primary reason why in spite of their dedicated commitment to some infrastructural projects, the problem of conflict and poverty has become intensified. In light of the above this paper recommends that there is a dire need to incorporate environmental related problems into the agenda of these multinationals social responsibility as these will go a long way in addressing the economic and environmental problems of the people of the region and also reduce violence and conflicts which has continue to hamper development in the region.     

Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Environmental Responsibility, Social Activism, Development