Group seeks women’s inclusion in extractive sector

The Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group has called for the inclusion of women in the country’s extractive sector for gender justice and greater participation in the management of natural resources.

In a statement, the group demanded the implementation of the 30 per cent women’s economic inclusion campaign outlined in the Petroleum Industry Act during a roundtable organised recently in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

NDEBUMOG canvassed for transparency in the implementation of the PIA in a communiqué issued at the end of the event.

It also advocated for training and resources to be provided to host community representatives, especially women, to enhance their understanding of the PIA’s fiscal regime.

“Such training should cover financial literacy, legal rights, and responsibilities of community trustees,” it said.

The group also sought strategic partnerships and networking collaborations with non-governmental organisations, women’s groups, and media outlets.

NDEBUMOG observed that the media was crucial in amplifying its efforts in providing women with the tools and platforms needed to advocate for transparency and accountability to ensure the benefits of the PIA were equitably distributed.

It also highlighted initiatives that support women’s empowerment, such as economic incentives, healthcare, and education, as crucial areas in need of funding.

It noted, “Capacity building will empower trust fund representatives to participate effectively in decision-making and hold the system accountable.

“Strong accountability mechanisms must be put in place to monitor the uses of funds to ensure that funds are equitably directed towards projects that benefit the entire community, with particular attention to initiatives that support women’s empowerment, such as economic incentives, healthcare, education, etc.”

The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, Odidem Edet, chaired the roundtable, which also featured other traditional rulers, including the paramount rulers of Mbo Local Government Area and Alesa (Refinery) Town, Owong Abang and J. D. Nkpe, among others.

Edet lamented the diminishing role of traditional rulers in governance, urging the government to grant them constitutional roles in administering the three per cent Host Communities Fund under the PIA.

He argued that this role would enable the traditional rulers to drive gender justice and inclusion effectively.

The Chief Executive Officer of NDEBUMOG, George-Hill Anthony, commended the traditional rulers and stakeholders for their participation.

Anthony stated that the meeting underscored the importance of an evolving global movement for women’s participation in natural resources governance and transparency, under the PIA’s Host Communities Trust Funds.

The traditional rulers, in their goodwill messages, acknowledged the historical injustices faced by women in the sector and stressed the need for their inclusion in the governance structure of the Host Communities Development Trust.

They pointed out that women, who bear the brunt of extractive activities, were better managers of resources and should play a more active role in decision-making.

The rulers asserted, “An increased participation of women, as sustainable livelihoods have been disrupted by oil exploration activities, which has led to significant health and environmental impacts against women and men across host communities.”