We have a growing operational presence in Nigeria, as operator for two exploration operations and a partner in others.
In support of our core operations, we have also initiated a range of activities since the late 1990s aimed at securing our long-term presence and success in the country.
Akassa Development Foundation
Our long-term presence and success in Nigeria depends on the security and stability, development and growth of both our own operations and the communities in which we operate.
To this end, since 1997, StatoilHydro has supported a community development project in Akassa in the Niger Delta region, which draws on substantial local involvement and participation in both the planning and operation of the project.
The project supports the following five activities that are deemed to be essential to underpinning our licence to operate in the area and the broader region: the abolition of poverty, building local capacity, the environment, the infrastructure and institutional capacity development.
StatoilHydro Nigeria has received considerable praise for its support of the project, and, in 2005, we received the World Petroleum Congress's Excellence Award in the Social Responsibility category.
Putting the UN Global Compact principles into practice
In August 2006, together with our partners Petrobras and Ask Petroleum, we incorporated the UN Global Compact principles on human rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption into the agreement for Exploration Licence OPL 315. This makes compliance with the Compact's principles legally binding for all our business activities related to OPL 315.
Drawing on our experience in Nigeria, in 2007, we worked with partners to include a commitment to the Global Compact principles in several licence agreements in Africa and Asia. StatoilHydro continuously fronts initiatives to integrate the Global Compact principles into new international licence agreements.
Promoting human rights
Other social investment projects financed by StatoilHydro in Nigeria support legal assistance to prisoners, crime reduction, human rights training of Sharia judges, empowerment of widows and disabled children and the fight against HIV/AIDS.
