How Multinational Oil Companies and Corrupt Niger Delta Elites Underdeveloped the Niger Delta Region

Abstract

This study is on the role played by Multinational Oil Companies (MNOCs) and Niger Delta elites in the underdevelopment of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The study adopts a descriptive approach drawing data mainly from secondary data such as books, articles in newspapers, journals, internet etc. The study found that the Niger Delta region is endowed with natural resources. Among this is crude oil which is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy.Despite this oil wealth however, the region is largely underdeveloped. Poverty, massive unemployment, absence of safe drinking water, filth and squalor, lack of access to health care, education and housing among others are some of the features of the region. The problem of underdevelopment in the Niger Delta was traced to MNOCs and Niger Delta elites. The paper therefore argues that oil exploration activities of MNOCs such as gas flares and oil spills which have resulted in environmental degradation have deprived the people of the region their means of livelihood while corrupt practices of Niger Delta elites who embezzle funds meant for development have been responsible for the underdevelopment of the region. The study recommends among others the need for MNOCs to compensate the people for years of environmental degradation while Niger Delta elites found guilty of embezzlement while in office should be sent to jail.