The activities of multinationals in Nigeria in failing to render efficient services and adhere to laws of the land favourable to the populace are gradually coming to the public glare for scrutiny, as monitored by Straightnews.
Taking a cursory look at the multinationals operating in the country, radio analysts came to the conclusion that the blue chips are detrimentally making mincemeat of abundant natural resources which would have benefited the people mainly the less privileged because the government has given them the latitude.
Speaking on a privately-owned radio station- Inspiration 105.9 FM, Uyo on Thursday, one of the analysts said “Multinationals are wiser and richer in Nigeria. For instance, telecommunication operators make more money in Nigeria to the detriment of the poor masses. They play a smart game with the government to reap unduly from masses. In other countries, they keep all the laws but in Nigeria, they would not. Even in their countries, they ensure the interest and welfare of the masses are paramount.”
Another observed “At times, we have to blame the government ministries and agencies for always playing ball with the multinationals in bending some extant laws to their whims. The empirical fact is that the multinationals are here to make money but impoverish the populace, which is not done even in their countries.”
Again, one analyst noted “Some multinationals join with some individuals in the communities utterly disregard the welfare and shortchange the entire communities. They do not properly implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) to their host communities.”
“They short change many people in the discharge of their services and provide exorbitant charges. Some government institutions in the country are not helping matters but collude with them to shortchange the masses. Go to Ibeno, Oloibiri, Mbo, Iko Town, Eastern Obolo and Ogoni, among others. The level of despoilation of the land and lack of social amenities in those oil-producing communities will shock you,” one of them lamented.
“I think it advisable for the multinationals to allow their conscience to guide them. What they could not do in their home countries, why are they doing in Nigeria? Let them sit up and do the right things- provide efficient services to the people, do not shortchange them, pay appropriate dues/remunerations to the beneficiaries and avoid being joined in litigations,” an analyst enjoined.
