Bane of crude oil exploration in the Niger Delta: The example of Ossy Okeke’s liquid black gold

Abstract

Crude oil is a major source of foreign exchange and revenue generation for the Nigerian economy. It is one of Nigeria’s numerous  natural resources found in communities in the Niger Delta region. While its exploration has yielded significant growth in the Nigerian  economy, the seeming unabated grievances and recurrent outbursts of agitations and crises that translate into militancy and other forms  of civil disturbances among host communities have raised serious problem in destroying mutual relationship between oil  companies, host communities and government. The resultant effect is the depletion of production and its negative consequences on the  gross domestic product (GDP) of the country. This study attempted to improve relationship between the concerned stakeholders by  investigating causes and effects of grievances, agitations and civil disturbances in Niger Delta. It was guided by FrustrationAggression  Theory as a framework to qualitatively analyse a purposively sampled film, Liquid Black Gold by Ossy Okeke Junior. A critical textual  autopsy of the film revealed that these unending agitations are predominantly caused by external and internal factors, vis-a-vis the neglect and irresponsibility of government on one side and the corrupt and fraudulent penchants of most Niger Delta leaders on the  other side. This study recommended the legislation and implementation of policies on improved corporate social responsibility (CSR) to  host communities in Niger Delta and the deterrence of corrupt practices by government agencies and leadership class in the area.