ABSTRACT
This study entitled: “Applications of Community Relations Strategies in Addressing Host Community Hostility: A Study of Rido Village, Kaduna, Host Community of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited” is carried out to specifically find out the causes of community hostility in the KRPC's host communities, the measures taken by the host communities to press their demand, the Company’s current community relations strategies in addressing host community hostilities, the challenges affecting the current community relations programme at the Refinery and the new strategies that the organization can evolve for a more effective and proactive community relations practice in addressing community hostility. To effectively carry out the study, survey research method was adopted to obtain data through the instruments of questionnaire and interview. A total of 300 questionnaires were administered to 30% of Rido Village inhabitants while a total of four (4) key Staff of the KRPC were interviewed. Findings of the study shows that lack of provision of employment opportunities, social amenities and infrastructures are the main causes of community hostilities. It also shows that protest and dialogue are the main channels used by the KRPC host communities to press their demands. The findings also show that the current community relations strategies used by the KRPC in addressing host community hostility include the provision of portable water, electricity, job training, schools, roads as well as support for community social engagements. The Company also responds to oil pollution in a timely and effective manner as well as provide compensation both in cash and kind to effected victims. The outcome of the study also shows that the major challenges affecting the current community relations programmes of the KRPC include poor funding and lack of employment opportunities. Finally, the study shows that the KRPC management has identified Sustainable Community Development (SCD) as a key strategic plan for a more effective and proactive community relations programme. Arising from the findings and conclusions above, it is recommended that organisations desirous of establishing peaceful and harmonious relationship with their host communities should develop a more pragmatic approach towards community development by ensuring a sustainable community development (SCD) and sustainable social development (SSD) projects. They should also adopt and maintain a more effective channel of communication between their organisations and their host communities.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Background to the Study
The Nigerian oil and gas industry dates back to 1958 when oil was first discovered by Shell D’Arcy at Oloibiri field in the Eastern Niger Delta Basin in the present day Bayelsa State. However, oil prospecting activities go back to 50 years prior to that following exploration operation of a German Company, the Nigerian Bitumen Corporation (NBC), in the Araromi area of the present day Ondo State. The operation, based on the Mineral Survey of Southern Nigeria, resulted in the drilling of 16 shallow boreholes (4.9 metres) on a line of oil seepage now known as the Tarsand Belt, (NNPC Corporate Profile, 2010).
The report had indicated the occurrence of tarry sand (oil sands) in parts of Okitipupa structure (Eastern Dahomey) Benin Basin. This encouraged NBC to drill 15 wells along the onshore area of the basin between 1908 and 1914 following the striking of crystalline basement at relatively shallow depths, which established the presence of several horizons of oil sands, setting the stage for subsequent oil exploration operation in Nigeria.
Shell Oversees Exploration Company, in collaboration with Shell D’Arcy Exploration Company, continued exploration activities between the two World war periods, with geological and reconnaissance and geographical surveys in selected areas across the country in 1937. In 1938, Shell D’Arcy was granted oil exploration license (OEL) by the Colonial administration to carry out exploration activities throughout the country. Between 1951 and 1959, the company, in partnership with Shell BP, had drilled six wells in the Benin Basins.
The first deep test in 1951 (Iho-1 NW) of Owerri into Cretaceous sands on the Northern fringes of the Niger Delta Basin was not successful. By 1955, some 15 dry holes were drilled into Cretaceous prospects with no real oil finds.
However, encouraged by the first oil show in the tertiary Niger Delta Basin (Akata-1 well) drilled in 1953, Shell intensified its search in the basin, and in 1956 made the breakthrough that has come to represent its pioneering success story in oil exploration in Nigeria. The significant find in Oloibiri focused the search on the Niger Delta Basin, setting the trend in oil exploration in the country. Nigeria’s first oil shipment of 5,000 barrels to the international market was in 1958.
In 1959, Shell BP relinquished portions of its onshore license, allowing a number of other oil majors to be granted similar licenses to undertake oil exploration in Nigeria. The Benin Basin was further explored in the 1960 and 1970s due to the surface evidence presented by the oil sands and heavy oil.
Those granted the initial license in 1961 to explore for oil in Nigeria included Shell BP, Gulf Oil, Mobil and Texaco. The first offshore production began in 1965 with the discovery of oil in Okan field by Gulf Oil Company, which confirmed Niger Delta Basin as having significant prospects as a world-class hydrocarbon province. Since then, more than 500 oil and gas fields have been discovered, with more than half currently producing at onshore locations.
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