Abuja: Civil society organisations (CSOs) have called for stronger women participation in decision-making and development initiatives in communities affected by resource extraction and a review of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the CSOs made the call at a Stakeholder Engagement and Validation Workshop on Protecting the Rights of Women in Extractive Industry and presentation of two National Desk Review Reports in Abuja on Tuesday. The engagement was supported by Oxfam and Hewlett Foundation with the theme, ‘Strengthening Gender Responsive Governance, Transparency and Accountability in the Implementation of PIA Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) Framework.’ The event was organised in partnership with Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).
Speaking at the occasion, Dr Botti Isaac, Director of Programmes at Social Action Nigeria, and the researcher and presenter of the report, highlighted that women bore significant impacts of oil extraction activities in the country. Isaac emphasized the importance of including women’s voices in development decisions and implementation processes. He pointed out that the PIA remained inadequate in addressing host communities’ needs, despite provisions establishing the HCDT, identifying implementation gaps, particularly regarding gender representation, noting that existing regulations lacked clear quotas for women and other vulnerable groups.
Isaac called for the inclusion of women in boards, management committees, and other governance structures of the HCDT. ‘They should be part of the community, the management committee and all the governance structures of the PIA because that is when we’ll be able to adequately capture their needs and aspirations,’ he said. He also emphasized the importance of capturing women’s voices in every decision-making process and advocated for their participation in implementing ideas and initiatives that could improve their conditions.
The researcher recommended a review of the PIA’s three per cent provision, proposing that 50 per cent of the allocation should support women-led businesses and enterprises in host communities. He urged stakeholders to support the review of identified gaps, strengthen regulations, and ensure that community development plans reflected gender-sensitive needs assessments.
Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC, called for stronger transparency, accountability, participation, and inclusion to achieve equitable and sustainable governance in Nigeria’s extractive sector. Rafsanjani stated that the PIA and HCDT framework provided a foundation, but effective implementation and accountability remained crucial to achieving intended benefits. He advocated for meaningful women participation, empowering them to lead, influence decisions, and hold institutions accountable in host communities. Represented by CISLAC’s Finance and Administration Manager, Magaji Mato, Rafsanjani also called for transparent management of HCDT resources to promote sustainable development, social justice, and improved livelihoods for present and future generations.
Ayo Omowu, Head of Environment and Conservation of Nature at CISLAC, reiterated the importance of women’s inclusion in Nigeria’s extractive sector, as they play significant roles in host communities. Omowu called for capacity building and advocacy for effective implementation of PIA, including funding, to support women-led MSMEs and youth organisations. He reaffirmed CISLAC’s commitment to supporting women in extractive communities, enabling them to become productive, resilient, and contribute more significantly to Nigeria’s revenue.
Mrs Alice-Joe Henry, a BoT member representing UDA Community in Effiat/Mbo Host Community Development Trust, Uyo, advocated for the selection of women with capacity and boldness in the representation of host communities. ‘Let women that have character and integrity be appointed to represent us; women that can say the truth; because this thing affects the women, particularly mothers, the children, the traders, the farmers, everyone,’ Henry stated.
The reports covered three states in the Niger Delta – Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa, with stakeholders from government agencies, National Assembly, and host communities present at the occasion.