An advocacy group, Social Development Integrated Center has called on President Bola Tinubu not to grant approval for divestment of international oil companies from the Niger Delta region.
The Centre, also known as Social Action, said such approvals should be turned down until a definitive, enforceable, and transparent mechanism that compels these firms to address legacies of environmental degradation and social abuses in the Niger Delta comprehensively and ethically are made.
Calling for a comprehensive clean-up program for the entire Niger Delta region, the centre, charged the Niger Delta Development Commission to publish its procurement plan annually to foster transparency in public expenditure.
The call was part of a 16-point communiqué, issued at the end of a one-day Niger Delta multi-stakeholders development and accountability summit in Port Harcourt.
The summit, facilitated by the Centre, in collaboration with ICPC with the support of MacArthur Foundation was themed: ‘Building the Niger Delta Hope: Collaborating for Inclusive Development and Public Accountability.’
Delivering the keynote address, the Secretary of ICPC, Clifford Oparodu, expressed regrets that irregular unrest and agitation for equitable resource distribution and control, which has created palpable tension across the Niger Delta region was occasioned by years of neglect by the managers of the region’s resources.
Oparodu stated, “The concept note for this summit states clearly that the Niger Delta is the heartland of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon wealth and it plays a pivotal role in the nation’s economy as its primary oil producing region.
“It goes further to say that the discovery of crude oil in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State marked a significant turn in Nigeria’s economic fortune, as it accounts for 90 percent of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings and 80 percent of government budget.
“This rosy position should ordinarily translate to prosperity and development for the citizens and inhabitants of this region, but unfortunately that is not the case.
“Instead, what we see is widespread poverty. pollution, severe environmental degradation, decline and threat to traditional livelihoods, decaying social infrastructure, short-changing of the people and communities in infrastructural projects design and implementation, marginalization of the indigenous people by their own local leaders and others in the distribution of resources and opportunities accruing from the wealth of the land.
“These we have seen over the years have led to unrest and agitation for equitable resource distribution and control. This agitation has created palpable tension across the region over the years.”
Director of Social Action International, Dr. Isaac Osuoka, in his welcome address, stated that the aim of the summit was to reiterate the calls of Nigerians to President Bola Tinubu to henceforth halt any further divestment approvals until there is a definitive, enforceable, and transparent mechanism that compels corporations to address their legacies of environmental degradation and social abuses in the Niger Delta comprehensively and ethically.
Osuoka stated, “In our collective quest to redefine the future of the Niger Delta, today, we are confronted with an issue of paramount importance which demands urgency and conviction from our government and all stakeholders.
“The ongoing divestment process by international oil companies from onshore operations presents not merely a business transaction, but a profound moment of accountability for the environmental and social scars in the land and our communities.
“We cannot, and must not, advance toward a vision of sustainable development without securing a commitment to redress the extensive environmental pollution and social injustices that have marred our land and communities.
“Hence, today, we reiterate our demand on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, made by community members on the streets of Port Harcourt and by civil society leaders: No further divestment approvals should be granted to any international oil company, Shell in particular, until there is a definitive, enforceable, and transparent mechanism that compels these corporations to address their legacies of environmental degradation and social abuses in the Niger Delta comprehensively and ethically.”
He added that an end must to the era of “overlooking the ramifications of decades of environmental neglect and social disenfranchisement.”
He further enthused, “We demand concrete actions from President Tinubu that not only match the magnitude of the ecological devastation and community upheaval experienced, but also pave the way for healing and equitable progress.”
Meanwhile a communiqué issued at the end of the summit and read by Kelechi Amaechi, asked for: “Removal of opacity in government and community businesses, protection of all NDDC projects and installations.
“Monitoring and reporting all NDDC project execution to ensure quality. Civil society organizations must see themselves as part of the community And the adoption and promotion the National Ethics and Integrity Policy.
“Promote good governance at all levels – national, sub-national and community.
“Sanctions for non-compliance with Procurement Act and other statutory laws of the NDDC.
“Niger Delta youth should imbibe the culture of advocating for accountability, transparency – open data/budget and hard-work.
“Need for Niger Delta stakeholders to see all executed projects as their own and this will close the gap between the NDDC and the people of the Niger Delta region.”
The communiqué also insisted “That there should be inclusivity of all genders for effective collaboration especially during needs assessment.
“The NDDC should ensure that needs assessments are carried out in collaboration with various community stakeholders, among others.”
