Socio-Cultural Factors Influencing Sustainable Performance of Shell Funded Agricultural Projects in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

The study examined the socio-cultural factors that influenced the performance of Shell Petroleum Development Company's agricultural projects in the Niger Delta. The paper determined the level of performance of agricultural projects executed between 2004 and 2008 and identified factors that influenced their performance. The study used primary data from the respondents, gathered with a structured questionnaire and responses recorded during Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the community leaders. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 16 communities where 4 agricultural projects (aquaculture, poultry, cassava and rice processing) were carried out across three states of Shell operation. Through random sampling, 10 persons in each project were selected and a total of 160 respondents were sampled for the study. The findings revealed that only 31.25% of the projects were functional and effective at the time of study. Three major socio-cultural factors influencing agricultural projects' effectiveness were identified. These were: contractors (NGOs)-related factors; Community-related factors and Sponsors (SPDC)-related factors.Most of the construction work done by the contractors was faulty while some were not done to specification. This hindered project performance. No proper training was given to the beneficiaries while some were not trained at all. This did not allow for efficiency in project administration and management. Also, the gap between project approval and actual implementation was often too wide that it affected contract sum, prices of products, and sometimes run-off season. This affected performance. Again, Projects performance was marred by lack of start-up capital as there was no funding beyond the 'pilot' stages. There was generally low community involvement and ownership of projects as community projects belonged to nobody. It was concluded that proper engagement with community people in developmental projects meant for them will bring about ownership and enhanced sustained performance.