| Title: | Awareness and Ratings of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s Interventions for Conflict Resolution in the Region |
| Author(s): | Ngozi OMOJUNIKANBI, Godwin OKON & Obiageli OHIAGU |
| Abstract: | Oil production is Nigeria’s major economic base. The Niger Delta region that produces most of the oil is often laden with crises resulting from the people’s perceived marginalization in the development of the area. To address the endemic problem of revolt and agitations in the Niger Delta region, the federal government of Nigeria established the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on developmental programmes in the area as conflict resolution strategy. Not many studies have been done to ascertain the level of awareness and ratings of the programmes by the people of the area. To fill this knowledge gap, this study, using survey research method, a sample size of 400, selected through multi-stage sampling technique, examined selected residents of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States. Findings indicate that many residents of the Niger Delta region are aware of NDDC interventions in managing crises in the region and that the Commission was created to respond to development and environmental challenges in the area. The study also found that despite these interventions and high level of awareness, crises and agitations still persist in the area. The people perceive NDDC as lacking the capacity to address the challenges of the region due to corruption and other factors, making its conflict resolution strategies ineffective. This finding suggests inclusion of other alternative dispute resolution strategies. |
| Keywords: | Awareness, conflict resolution, crisis, Niger Delta, Nigeria, ratings |
