Facilitating Dialogue in the Niger Delta through Participatory Evaluation

Tags:

CBI Practitioners:

Merrick Hoben
David Plumb

Clients:


Case Background:
From June through August 2008, a diverse group of community, government, NGO and Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) representatives came together to conduct an evaluation of a core component of Chevron's community engagement strategy in the Niger Delta. This Participatory Stakeholder Evaluation analyzed the Global Memoranda of Understanding (GMOUs) that governed many aspects of Chevron’s relationship with communities impacted by its onshore oil operations during the previous three years. The stakeholder group developed the goals of the evaluation, a data collection strategy and an interview protocol. A data collection team then used the protocol to conduct interviews and focus groups with more than 1,000 individuals in all five Niger Delta states where the GMOUs are present. Afterward, the evaluation group reconvened to collectively analyze the data.

 

CBI Approach:
CBI led the facilitation of this participatory process, while Search for a Common Ground provided facilitation support and expertise in conflict issues. Research Triangle Institute provided expertise in governance and development issues and also assisted with workshop facilitation. CBI prepared the evaluation report, which was intended to provide credible, accessible information for future decision-making and improvement of the GMOU process.

 

Outcomes:
The Participatory Stakeholder Evaluation produced tenable, public information about the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the GMOUs as well as stakeholders’ suggestions for improvement. The information was timely as the agreements were up for renewal and renegotiation within 12 months thereafter. Evaluation team members identified a future opportunity to use the evaluation as a basis for strengthening the GMOU process. The team offered to share the evaluation results with their constituents and colleagues and, in some cases, to begin implementing recommendations.

The team expressed enthusiasm for the participatory approach used to conduct the evaluation. They also expressed a strong willingness to continue using dialogue and joint problem solving techniques to strengthen the engagement between CNL and its Niger Delta stakeholders through the GMOU process. Subsequent to the evaluation, stakeholders jointly invited CBI to facilitate the renegotiation of the agreements as an independent third-party. The renegotiation began in December 2008, using the evaluation as a basis for discussions.

 


Additional References:

GMOU Evaluation Executive Summary

GMOU Report

Engaging Stakeholders in the Niger Delta - May 2009 Update

 

 

For more information on this case, please contact CBI-Washington DC Regional Office Director Merrick Hoben.