Towards assessing the social sustainability performance of the petroleum industry in the Niger delta region of Nigeria

Abstract

Unresolved social issues between the local community and the petroleum industry plague the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. These concerns are addressed by introducing a social sustainability assessment framework for the petroleum industry. Key performance indicators (KPIs) are identified, through a stakeholders’ engagement process, for social performance measurement purposes. A five-year time-frame is proposed for the periodic assessment of the state of social sustainability. It is recommended that the petroleum industry make the accounting of social sustainability performance measures a priority before beginning projects, especially greenfield projects, since this can assist in resolving the volatility in the region.AFRIKAANS: Onopgeloste sosiale vraagstukke tussen plaaslike gemeenskappe en die petroleumindustrie is ‘n probleem in die Nigerdeltastreek van Nigerië. ’n Raamwerk vir die assessering van sosiale volhoudbaarheid word voorgestel vir die petroleumindustrie. Kritiese indikatore vir die ontwikkelde raamwerk word uitgewys deur ’n proses waarby belanghebbendes betrek word vir prestasiemetingsdoeleindes. Vir periodieke assessering in terme van die stand van sosiale volhoudbaarheid word ’n vyfjaar tydraamwerk voorgestel. Daar word verder aanbeveel dat die petroleumindustrie die berekening van sosiaalvolhoubare prestasiemeting ’n prioriteit maak voordat projekte begin, veral projekte in onontwikkelde gedeeltes, aangesien dit die oplossing van die onstabiliteit in die streek kan aanhelp.