Manufacturing consent in Africa? Multinationals, NGOs and the (re)invention of resistance in the Niger Delta’s oilscapes

Figures & data

Figure 1. Chevron Nigeria Limited GMoU model.

Abbreviations. NDDC, Niger Delta Development Council; NNPC, Nigeria National Petroleum Company; RDC, Regional Development Council; NGOs, Non Governmental Organisations.

Table 1. Some NGOs involved in Chevron’s General Memorandum of Understanding (GMoUs), 2008–2021.

NGO	Commencement year	Details of participation
Foreign
Consensus Building Institute (CBI)	2008	Partnered with Chevron to design and launch the GMoU in 2005. It was a key ‘stakeholder’ that renegotiated the renewal of agreement of 8 Regional Development Councils (RDCs) in December 2008 and January 2009. CBI operated in the Egbema–Gbaramtu areas includng Foropa, Benikrukru and many Itsekiri villages in the area.
Research Triangle International (RTI)	2008	Implementation contractor for the GMoU and participated in the 2008 evaluation. Also worked with United States Agency for International Aid (USAID), funded by Chevron, to ‘improve quality of governance in Rivers State’.
Search for Common Ground (SCG)	2008	Implementation contractor for the GMoU and participated in the 2008 evaluation.
Nigerian
New Nigeria Foundation (NNF)	2005	Included by Chevron to act as a ‘neutral mediator’ in the GMoU negotiations, to build trust with communities. It has also coordinated planning, evaluation and reporting of the third phase of Chevron’s GMoU in Bayelsa, Ondo and Delta states. Still works on various aspects of the GMoU.
Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND)	2005	Major local implementing contractor. Focusses on building economic partnerships and capacity across the region. Also acts as donor to organisations like P4P who help to implement its peacebuilding agenda. PIND also provides capacity-building training for local Non Governmental Organisation (NGOs), works with governments in the region and builds relationship with businesses.
Corporate Mediators	2008	Project evaluation partner.
Ideal Women’s Advance Network (IWAN)	2008	Project evaluation partner.
Africa Center for Social and Corporate Responsibility (ACSCR)	2008	Project evaluation partner
Morgan Smart Foundation (MSF)	2008	Project evaluation partner
Participatory Partnership for Community Development (PPCD)	2008	Coordinating NGO to the Egbema-Gbaramatu RDC, Delta State as well as an accredited NGO to Itsekiri RDC.
Niger Delta Professionals for Development (NIPRODEV)	2008	Works on GMoU conflict-resolution committee and provides platforms for peacebuilding dialogues across the region. The organisation is also involved in reintegration programmes for militants and works with government organisations.
Partners for Peace (P4P)		Sub-grantee of PIND. Coordinates a large network of individual ‘peace volunteers’ and NGOs across the Niger Delta who work to mediate in intra- and inter-community disputes and to generally maintain the peace. It also offers incentives to its peace volunteers – what it calls ‘economic empowerment’ – and provides NGO-style capacity-building training.
Leadership Initiative for Transformation Empowerment (LITE) – Africa	2010	Established a partnership with GMoU in 2010 and had been operating in Foropa, Benikrukru, Tsekelwu in Egbema-Gbaramatu community as well as Kula RDC areas. Works mainly in a mentoring and oversight capacity for individuals and organisations involved with the GMoU. It also does work around gender issues in the region, and also serves as project contractor in areas like rural electrification and water projects (for instnace at Foropa Community). Other contracting activities include hospital renovations in Kula RDC and Benikrukru and the provision of WASH training and the construction of public toilets in Egbema Community Development Foundation (EGCDF) RDC area.