OIL COMPANY-COMMUNITY CONFLICTS AND DEVELOPMENT REALITIES IN THE NIGER DELTA: THE BAYELSA STATE EXPERIENCE
Abstract
The conflict-development literature establishes the fact that conflict inhibits growth and development in society. Scholars have argued that conflict is a major cause of poverty and underdevelopment in Africa. Conversely, this research paper showed that conflict has the potential for community development as seen in the oil company-community conflicts in Bayelsa state. This research investigated oil company-community conflicts as it affects development in oil producing communities. The survey research design was used with questionnaire, focus group discussions, interviews and personal observations as instruments for the collection of primary data. Findings showed that oil company-community conflicts promote development in oil producing communities in Bayelsa state. This however, was predicated on certain conditions. The study recommends among others that (1) oil companies should respond promptly to community agitations in order to secure social license to operate as well as ensure community development; (2) communities should elect credible and enlightened individuals to occupy leadership positions.
How to Cite
Harvard Style
Worufah, W.R. (2023), "OIL COMPANY-COMMUNITY CONFLICTS AND DEVELOPMENT REALITIES IN THE NIGER DELTA: THE BAYELSA STATE EXPERIENCE", in Niger Delta Research Digest Vol. 13, No. 1, pp10-34, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17318457.