Corruption in Civil Society Activism in the Niger Delta and Defines Csos to Include Ngos, Self-Help Groups and Militant Organisations
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THE ROLE OF CORRUPTION ON CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVISM IN THE NIGER DELTA BY TOMONIDIEOKUMA BRIGHT A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LANCASTER UNIVERSITY FOR DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY SUBMISSION DATE: SEPTEMBER, 2019 i Abstract: This thesis studies the challenges and relationships between the Niger delta people, the federal government and Multinational Oil Companies (MNOCs). It describes the major problems caused by unmonitored crude oil exploitation as environmental degradation and underdevelopment. The study highlights the array of roles played by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in filling the gap between the stakeholders in the oil industry and crude oil host communities. Except for the contributions from Austin Ikelegbe (2001), Okechukwu Ibeanu (2006) and Shola Omotola (2009), there is a limitation in the literature on corruption and civil society activism in the Niger delta. These authors dwelt on the role of CSOs in the region’s struggle. But this research fills a knowledge gap on the role of corruption in civil society activism in the Niger delta and defines CSOs to include NGOs, self-help groups and militant organisations. Corruption is problematic in Nigeria and affects every sector of the economy including CSOs. The corruption in CSOs is demonstrated in their relationship with MNOCs, the federal government, host communities and donor organisations. Smith (2010) discussed the corruption in NGOs in Nigeria which is also different because this work focuses on the role of corruption in CSOs in the Niger delta and the problems around crude oil exploitation. The findings from the fieldwork using oral history, ethnography, structured and semi-structured interview methods show that corruption impacts CSOs activism in diverse ways and has structural and historical roots embedded in colonialism. CSOs must understand that civil society activism is an enormous task by shunning corruption and working towards bringing improvements to the problems in the region. ii Acknowledgements: I would like to express my sincere gratitude to God Almighty for his mercies. Special thanks to my supervisors Dr. Luca Follis and Dr. Gary Potter for their continuous support, patience, guidance and motivation through the time of the research and in the writing of this thesis. I will also like to specially thank my parents, husband and siblings for their support throughout this period. May the Almighty God bless you all. iii Table of Contents Abstract:……………………………….................................................................……....…. i Acknowledgements.................................................................................................................ii Figures, Tables and Pictures ................................................................................................viii Acronyms and Abbreviations: ……………………………………………................….…...x Chapter one:............................................................................................................................1 1.1: Introduction:...................................................................................................…………..1 1.2:Understanding the Adverse Effect of Crude oil Exploitation in the Niger Delta:….............,..,..................................................................................................................3 1.3: Purpose of the study..........................................................................................................7 1.4:Research Aims..................................................................................................................8 1.5:Disseration outline: ..................................................................................................……9 Chapter Two: Research Methodology (Approaches to Studying the Impact of Corruption on Civil Society Activism in the Niger Delta): ………….......……...............................………12 2.1: Introduction:. ........…...............….................................................................................12 2.2: Recruitment of Respondents and Research Summary: ...................................................12 2.3: An Overview of the Field Sites and Samples: .............................................................17 2.4: Research strategy and design ................,.......................................................................23 2.5: Field Data Explanation: ............................................................................................... 24 2.5.1: Problems with Reaching the Respondents: ................................................................28 2.6: Data Sources: ………………………………………………………...……….....……28 2.6.1: Primary Data Sources: ……………………………………………...…..…......……28 2.6.2: Structured Interviews: ................................................................................................29 2.6.3: Semi-Structured Interviews: ................................................................................ .....29 2.6.4: Oral History: ........................................................................................................…...30 2.6.5: Ethnography: ..............................................................................................................31 2.7: Secondary Data Sources: ………………………………....………...............................31 2.8: Data Analysis: ..........................................................................................……..………33 2.9: Ethics: ……………………………………………………...........................………….34 iv 2.9.1:Informed consent:........................................................................................................34 2.9.2:.Anonymity:.................................................................................................................34 2.9.3: Risks to participants: ……………............................................................................ ..35 2.10: Limitations of the Research: ........................................................................................37 Chapter Three: The Laws and Different Government Approaches to Corruption in Nigeria. 3.1: Introduction: ................................................................................................................. 39 3.2: An Overview of Corruption:.................................................................. ........................39 3.3:Corruption in the Oil Industry and the Niger Delta:.........................................................41 3.4: Factors Influencing Corruption in the Niger Delta:. …………………...….....…….......48 3.4.1: Bribery: .......................................................................................................................51 3.4.2: Embezzlement of Public Funds: .................................................................................52 3.4.3: Lateness/Laziness to Work and Sexual Gratification:................................................. 52 3.4.4: Forgery: ......................................................................................................................53 3.4.5: Lobbying for unmerited favour:................................................................................. .54 3.4.6: Robbery and Kidnapping:........................................................................................... 54 3.4.7: Cultism: ..................................................................................................................... 55 3.4.8: Falsification of Records and Academic Malpractice:.................................................. 55 3.5: Historical Timelines on Legislation and the impact at Eradicating Corruption in Nigeria:.................................................................................................................................56 3.6: Timelines on Legislation and the impact at Eradicating Corruption in Nigeria:.................................................................................................................................57 3.7:Conclusion:.....................................................................................................................63 Chapter Four: The Problems Arising from Crude Oil Exploitation in the Niger Delta: …..64 4.1: Introduction:…………… …………………………….....…………………….....……64 4.2: Lectures Driving the Study:...........................................................................................64 4.3: The Niger Delta and Crude Oil: …………………………………................................66 4.4: Environmental Degradation:......................................................................................…68 4.4.1: Loss of Livelihood:......................................................................................................72 v 4.4.2: Mass Unemployment: .................................................................................................73 4.4.3:Poverty:...,....................................................................................................................75 4.4.4: Social Problems:..........................................................................................................77 4.4.5: Health Problems: ........................................................................................................80 4.5: Under-development:.......................................................................................................81 4.5.1: Attempts at Resolving the Problem of Under-development in the Niger Delta:..........81 4.52:.Problems