A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC RELATIONS TECHNIQUES IN MANAGING ANTHROPOGENIC DISASTER CONTROL IN THE NIGER DELTA

Abstract

This study was an examination of a critical assessment of public relations techniques in managing anthropogenic disaster control in the Niger Delta. The study was anchored on three theories; the systems theory, Environmental Justice Theory and stakeholders’ theory. The study adopted the survey research design. The population of the study comprised of two streams, first the public relations department of the selected multinational companies and secondly, the population of their host communities in the Niger Delta. The total population of the study for the first stream was 3,825,499. The population of the second stream was 25. A census and Taro Yamane Sampling size determination formula was used to arrive at sample size of 400 for the study. Purposive sampling technique and the proportionate sampling technique were used for the study, and the data obtained from the instruments were analyzed using the four-point Likert scale. Findings of the study showed that the three companies employed public relation techniques to address anthropogenic disasters in Niger Delta. Findings of the study further showed that the three multinational companies had best practices of public relations techniques with which they successfully engaged local communities’ remediation efforts in the Niger Delta. The conclusions drawn from the study revealed that not without certain challenges, the SPDC, Total Energies, and NAOC each implemented public relations techniques tailored to address anthropogenic disasters in the Niger Delta, demonstrating that PR was a core instrument in their environmental management frameworks. The companies consistently aligned their approaches with best practices in public relations, which facilitated meaningful engagement with host communities and enhanced the legitimacy of their remediation efforts. It was therefore recommended that oil companies in the Niger Delta should adopt more structured, transparent, and inclusive public relations techniques in the remediation of man-made disasters to ensure active participation and trust from host communities. The study also recommended that companies should align their public relations strategies with internationally recognized best practices, integrating proactive and reactive communication measures such as early warning systems, crisis preparedness, and rapid response mechanisms.
Keywords: Critical Assessment, Public Relations, Techniques, Managing Anthropogenic, Disaster Control, Niger Delta