By Emeka Nwokocha
The wellbeing of the oil and gas producing communities in the Niger Delta will witness great improvement in the coming years when the recommendations in the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ’s final report on the operations of oil and gas producing areas development commissions are precisely implemented to the letter.
ANEEJ, on Wednesday, 20 July, publicly presented the draft of the report to stakeholders for critical review and validation at a one-day stakeholders meeting held at TM Palace Hotel & Suites, Effurun, Delta State.
The Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev. David Ogolor, while presenting an address, said the primary aim of the meeting was to review and validate ANEEJ’s report on the assessment of the operations of oil and gas producing areas development commissions in Abia, Delta, Edo, Imo, and Ondo, which have established and functional oil and gas commissions.
He added, “the intention of the meeting is to get the stakeholders’ feedback to ensure that the final report reflects the true position of things, and it will stimulate CSOs advocacy to strengthen the operations of the oil and gas commissions.
“The project is also designed to address issues bothering on reforms within the development commissions set up to develop the Niger Delta region, such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
He said, “this event is coming under ANEEJ-SCALE project on Enhancing Anti-corruption and Social Inclusive Reform Initiatives in Nigeria,” stating that the SCALE (Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement) project is a 5-year scheme being implemented by Palladium and its resource partners with funds from USAID.
“It is designed to enhance local civil society organisations’ ability to be positive and responsible change agents in Nigeria,” he stated.
Speaking further, Rev. Ogolor said, “the Enhancing Anti-corruption and Social Inclusive Reform Initiatives in Nigeria project is designed following the anchor cluster model adopted by Palladium to promote and engage in anti-corruption policy reforms,” adding that ANNEJ received grant on the SCALE project as anchor organisation working with 8 cluster member organizations spread across six states; Abia, Edo, Delta, Imo, Ondo, Rivers and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to implement and deliver the project.
He said, “oil and gas commissions have been established as interventionist agencies in 5 Niger Delta States to use part of the 13% derivation fund to accelerate development of oil and gas producing communities by addressing infrastructural needs, human capital development and other needs.”
He emphasized importance of the project in strengthening the operations of the oil and gas commissions, saying, “we consider this project as an important one that seeks to promote anti-corruption policy reforms at both the national and sub-national levels, with an ultimate goal of strengthening governance to deliver development goals to citizens, particularly in addressing poverty and inequality amongst our people.”
Rev. Ogolor said, “the ANEEJ’s final report will be used to engage the governors of the concerned States Houses of Assembly and/or the relevant legislative committees, including the oil and gas commissions, to advocate for reforms.
The stakeholders comprising Supervisory Ministries in the oil and gas commissions, representatives of States Houses of Assembly, CSOs, host communities, media, and PLWD, made valuable contributions to the ANEEJ’s report.
