GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to assess government action on development efforts and public relation tools for effective management of Niger Delta conflict. The Niger Delta people had been using peaceful means to ask government to look into the challenges of the region before it escalated to violent conflict. Some of the peaceful efforts they made include going to Lancaster Conference in 1957; representatives were also sent in 1958 to the Willinks Commission, where it was recommended that attention should be given to developing region. Others include written petitions, community delegates sent to make formal complaints to state governments, federal government, and oil companies involved. It was also discovered that public relations and effective communication play a vital role in managing the conflict and developmental needs of the region by creating room for dialogue and interaction with the various stakeholders. Based on the findings, the researcher concludes that public relations and effective communication are key factors in resolving the challenges government is facing in the management of developmental needs of the Niger Delta region. Based on the findings of the study, one of the recommendations made was that the Niger Delta people be advised to pursue justice through non-violence.

KEYWORDS: Conflicts, Management strategies, NDDC and Niger Delta