Partnering with the state for sustainable development: Shell's experience in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

There is now growing consensus that moves towards sustainable development should involve constructive inputs from business, government and civil society. This paper critically examines the emerging partnership for human, institutional development and provision of physical infrastructure between the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Nigeria. It argues that although SPDC is undertaking partnership with NDDC as part of its overall CSR strategy for the region its success will be influenced by four key challenges. These are political support for NDDC, funding constraints, public perceptions and expectations of NDDC, as well as institutional priorities. The implications of the findings for current debates on partnership and the role of business in society are highlighted. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Changing times and strategies: Shell's contribution to sustainable community development in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Sustainable development and poverty are pervasive problems in the Niger Delta, mainly due to lack of significant Nigerian government commitment to the development of the region. As a corporate citizen, Shell has contributed in various ways to local community development in the area. Based on a critical analysis of the changes in its strategies and policies, the paper contends that Shell's previous approaches to community development in the Niger Delta encouraged unsustainable development and a culture of dependency. It concludes that the recently launched sustainable community development strategy has the potential to succeed where others failed, if it is implemented within a tri-sector partnership framework involving Shell, the Nigerian government and civil society. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.