THE ACCOUNTING FOR HUMAN RESOURCES IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF NIGERIA).

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
It is well know fact that the Nigeria major sources of revenue is from oil gas sector of the economy. This account for over 80% of the total revenue generated by the government in the recent past. the Nigeria foreign resources has increased tremendously due to the high price of petroleum product all over the world. This has brought some level of confidence to the foreign investors to invest in the Nigeria economy and stability in the exchange rate of the Nigeria currencyAs the importance of this sector cannot be over emphasized, it is pertinent to see that those companies that are engaged in exploration of the crude oil carry out their activities in an effective and efficient manner. My focus of this research will be based on accounting for human resources in the oil and gas industry, a case study of shell petroleum Development Company of Nigeria limited. The topic was chosen because of my concern as to determine the treatment being meted out to personnel in the industry. This research projects is based on the human resources accounting of shell petroleum Development Company of Nigeria limited. It focuses at the points highlighted in the proposal. Before I proceed, would like to present the followings Structure of the Oil Industry Most of the oil in Nigeria comes form the Niger Delta and six major companies of which SPDC is the largest. The others are EXXON, Mobil, Chevron Texaco, Agip, Total Fina ELF, and Texaco. All these operations are joint ventures with the government holding a majority share of between 55.60 percent, through the NNPC (Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation). National Oil Companies NNPC and its subsidiaries are senior partners in all the major upstream ventures. They have extensive domestic operations, especially downstream. They own large reserve of oil and gas and enjoy a monopoly of refining and petrol chemicals. NNPC depends on the government for fondling and has limited access to international capital markets. Major Oil Companies Shell, Exxon, Mobil, Chevron, Agip, Total Fina ELF, Texaco, ESSO, Canoco. These companies operate internationally and have a strong financial hue. They have considerable technological know how and extensive information networks. They are commercially and markets driven with strong links to head offices and sister companies world wide. Their activities in Nigeria usually relate to upstream operations. Independent Oil Companies Addax, Amni, Atlas, Brass, Cavendish, Consolidated, Continental, Dobril, Express, Famfa, Montorief, Penk, Sommit and others. These are mostly indigenous companies, but often operating with foreign technical partners. They compliment the role of the major players and national oil companies. Service and Supply companies Sdilom Berger, Halliborton, western Alas, Baroid Cameron, Bj Hoghes MI. Drilling Fluids and others. These companies provide services to the oil industry. They are mainly multinationals with a strong R & D base and skilled manpower. Nigeria companies are now making inroads in this sector ,e.g. lonstar Drilling Savsco well services and others.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
(a) Current system list not the names of the contract staff and amounts to be paid to each and sends same to the cash office where each of the contract staff his or hers this way, there is no comparison of cumulated payment at the end of each contract with the agreed contract fee for the period. Through this may be discovered during audit, the attendant problem of locating the contract staff if he is no longer in employment is obvious. This study will find a solution to this problem also. (b) How are they remunerated? The retired staff among them are paid gratitude; transportation, etc whereas others are not what effects has this on their motivation? (c) How efficient is the rapport (relationship) between the company and his people in its operating environment? Is there adequate compensation for the use of the people’s land? Do these compensation actually the reaching the right people?
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
Main objective of the study is to address the shortcoming above, by findings a lasting solution to them. This study is therefore to look at the different accounting methods of payment to any category staff and compare same with the method in place in the human resources of shell Nigeria for direct contract staff payments. It is also meant to determine obedience to accounting laws, rules and regulations by assessing the internal control measures in place and how the current method can be audited. This study is also meant to recognize the importance of appropriate taxation by comparing the current method with normal taxation that should apply and how the proceeds are being remitted to appropriate authorities. Significance of fraud, ghost worker(s) or any source of revenue leakage would be highlighted for possible remedy, in order to avoid occurrence of same. The compensation methods adopted by the company in setting the people when their lands are acquired? Is the right channel the one being used? Are these monies adequate? At the conclusion of the study, its recommendations will be able to improve the current methods where necessary and applicable.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
With about 80% of shell’s total strength of 25,000 employed as direct or indirect contract staff and only 20% as staff, the relevance of this study can be easily seen, as a good percentage of the company’s total salary payment goes into this area each month. As this is also the case in many other companies in the oil industry, it is significant that documentation of its true position, based on scientific method, be made. An “employee information” collection of the shell petroleum development company of Nigeria Limited Explained the above assertion that 80% of the company total staff strength of 25000 are employed as contract staff while the remaining 20% are permanent staff. As a scientific study of a scientific system, its relevance is more on its contribution to human knowledge and development. This study will help to improve the system already to existence in shell Nigeria and subsequently lead to efficiency and perhaps effectiveness. It will also block any loophole(s) that might lead to fraud, ghost worker(s) presence and any source of revenue leakage to the company. With all these and more in mind, the relevance and significance of the study is not in doubt.
1.5 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This study only tries to point out the benefits of accounting for human resources, but as already stated this study is not going to review the accounting of human resources in the Oil and Gas Industry in general, the study will not concern itself with procedure programmes and the general Accounting. The study was limited to Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria within Lagos metropolis and could be generalized to all the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria all over the country.
1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The research questions would be based mainly on the objective of the study and the short-coming highlighted above.
(a) Does improper human resources accounting lead to a loss of revenue to the company
(b) Improper human resources accounting lead to de-motivation of staff.
(c) There is improper accounting loss of revenue to the government
(d) Does crisis in the operating environment lead to loss of revenue to all.
1.7 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
The research is based on the following hypotheses.
(e) Ho: That improper human resources accounting would not lead to a boss of revenue to the company
Hi: That improper human resources accounting would lead to a loss of revenue to the company
(f) Ho: That improper human resources accounting would not lead to de-motivation of staff involved
Hi: That improper human resources accounting would lead to demotivation of staff involved
(g) Ho: That improper human resources accounting would not lead to lead to loss of revenue to the government
Hi: That improper human resources accounting would lead to loss of revenue to the government
(h)Ho: Crisis in the operating environment would not lead to loss of revenue to all.
Hi: Crisis in the operating environment would lead to loss of revenue to all.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Petrochemical: Any chemical substance obtained from petroleum oil or national gas.
Refinery: A factory where a substance such oil is refined (i.e. made pose)
1.9 SUMMARY
This study will analyze the data obtained from the questionnaire administration and interpretation of results thereof. It will be examined that improper human resources accounting would lead to a loss of revenue to the company.
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J.A Ariwoda (1993) “Personal Taxation in Nigeria including Capital Gain Tax and Capital Transfer Tax’ JAA Nigeria limited, Shell Dairy (2005): “The History of
AShell Nigeria” page 7 1996 Calendar of Nigeria LNG Limited Shell Nigeria. Com (2005): The Official Website of the Shell Petroleum Development of Nigeria Limited.
Tayo Fashoyin, (1992) “Industry