Communique issue at the end of (Nigeria’s Chapter) Women in Extractive Campaign Gender Justice Roundtable on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 3% Host Communities Trust Fund, which was held at Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State on Wednesday 28th August, 2024.

Preamble:

The Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group (www.nigerdeltabudget.org ) convened a pivotal Gender Justice Roundtable on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to champion a 30% Campaign for women economic inclusion in the extractive sector. This was conducted within the situational framework of Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) that allocated 3% to extractive host communities. This event was aimed at addressing the long-standing inequities faced by women in extractive host communities, promoting gender-justice and women participation in natural resources governance, ensuring transparency in the allocation of resources and extractive justice for women through gender-mirror. The PIA establishes the Host Community Development Trust Funds geared to benefit communities in the Niger Delta through funding from 3% operating expenditure of oil companies. However, concerns over transparency, accountability, fiscal blindness by host communities, including, slow implementation of the PIA, which is worrisome

The roundtable was chaired by His Royal Majesty, Odidem Bassy Etim Edet, JP, Eti Oyo Okpo II, Chairman-Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers. Other royal fathers at the event were: His Royal Majesty, Owong Okon Asukwo Abang- Paramount Ruler of Mbo Local Government Area, His Royal Highness, King J. D. Nkpe, Paramount Ruler of Alesa (Refinery) Town, His Royal Highness, King Promise Ozinye Chika, Paramount Ruler of Rumuokwuta Clan, Apara Kingdom and Nye-weli of Okwuta; His Highness, (Dr) George-Hill Anthony, His Highness (Rt. Hon) Prince Omatsone, JFK, the Olutimeyin of Warri Kingdom; His Highness, Eze Such Ama Chinda, Eze Onumbam I of Rumuokwuta and Chairman Rumuokwuta Council of Chiefs and Elders; Dr. Idaresit U. Umoh, Akwa Ibom State University; as well as, women affiliates of Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group, communities’ representatives, etc.

The objectives of the roundtable were to advocate for gender inclusion, ensuring transparent resource allocation and discussing strategies for overcoming barriers to women’s participation in the PIA’s 3% Host Community Development Trust Fund and opening opportunities for women in the extractive industry.

Welcome Remarks and Goodwill Messages:

His Highness (Dr.) George-Hill Anthony, the CEO of NDEBUMOG, extended a warmed welcome to all distinguished guests, including, Royal Majesties, Royal Highnesses and other esteemed traditional rulers and stakeholders for honoring NDEBUMOG’s invitation to this important roundtable. His Highness, the CEO, underscored the importance of evolving global movement for women’s participation in natural resources governance and transparency, which Nigeria, under the PIA’s Host Communities Trust Funds, should be tailored for gender equity.

The Paramount Rulers in their goodwill messages, acknowledged historical injustices faced by women in Nigeria’s extractive industry. They emphasized the need for women’s inclusion in the management and governance-structure of the Host Communities Development Trust, highlighting that, women, who are often the most affected by extractive activities, are equally, better managers of resources. They called for 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. Goodwill messages at the event further recognized:

• Lack of communal inclusion in the representation of communities in the PIA’s Host Communities Development Trust. The settlor is powerful than host communities as structured by the law, which is disheartening, they say!
• Withholding of royalties, due to these communities is exacerbating poverty and inequality.
• Marginalization of women, who faces severe challenges, due to environmental degradation, limited access to essential services, and exclusion from decision-making processes.
• The necessity to amplify women’s voices and advocate for legislative amendment that will allocate some percentage from the 3% operating expenditures of oil companies to women in extractive host communities.
• The need to challenge and eliminate cultural norms that perpetuate gender inequality. Women in host communities deserve equal access of benefits under the PIA and gender inclusion, which is critical for sustainable host communities’ development.

Chairman of the Occasion’s Address

His Royal Majesty Odidem Bassey Etim Edet, JP Eti Oyo Okpo II, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, reiterated the diminishing role of traditional rulers in contemporary governance, which also impacts their involvement in the implementation of the PIA’s provisions. He emphasized the importance of traditional rulers to be given constitutional roles. He added that traditional rulers, should also, be actively involved in administration of the 3% PIA’s Host Communities Fund to enable them consider and drive issues of gender justice and inclusion, without leaving such responsibility to the settlors or fund managers.

Technical papers were presented, which identified key issues, such as representation, funding management, projects prioritization, accountability, gender justice and communal inclusion.

To address these challenges, the round-table put forth recommendations aimed at addressing these critical issues surrounding women’s inclusion in Host Communities Development Trusts, simplifying the fiscal regime and ensuring benefits reach all members of host communities, including, women as enabled by the law.

Recommendations:

Recommendations included, establishing clear guidelines, promoting participatory decision-making, and ensuring robust monitoring and evaluation of HCDTs. Others were:

1. Simplification of Communication: The PIA’s fiscal regime should be communicated in clear, simplistic and accessible language that is understandable to non-experts. This involve translating complex legal and financial terms into simpler concepts in local languages, where necessary. There should be simplified guidelines, infographics and communities’ information coordination as effective tools for disseminating PIA’s 3% information.
2. Increased Transparency: Transparency must be prioritized in all aspects of the PIA’s implementation. This should include; public disclosure of all payments made by oil companies, detailed records of how funds are allocated and spent, and regular audits of the Host Communities Development Trust Fund. Transparency will build trust within communities and help ensure that funds are meticulously use.
3. Capacity Building for Host Community Representatives: Host communities’ representatives, particularly women, should be provided with trainings and resources to enhance their understanding of the PIA’s fiscal regime. Such trainings, should cover financial literacy, legal rights, roles and responsibilities of community trustees, among others. Capacity building will empower trust fund representatives to participate effectively in decision-making and hold the system accountable.
4. Inclusive Decision-Making Processes: It is essential to establish decision-making processes that are inclusive and participatory. Women should have a seat at the table of discussions about the allocation and management of funds from the Host Communities Development Trust. Ensuring gender parity in community leadership and Trust Fund Boards, management and technical committee, among others, will help address specific needs and priorities of women.
5. Clear Accountability Mechanisms: Strong accountability mechanisms must be put in place to monitor uses of funds to ensure that funds are equitably directed towards projects that benefits entire community, with particular attention to initiatives that support women’s empowerment, such as; economic incentives, healthcare, education etc. Establishment of independent oversight bodies that enables community members to report mismanagement or corruption anonymously to ACAs.
6. Community Women-led Advocacy, Education and Awareness Campaigns: Beyond formal training, there should be ongoing women-led advocacy, education and awareness campaigns to ensure that all community members, particularly women are informed about their rights and opportunities. These initiatives should be driven by women within host communities, who are uniquely positioned to understand and articulate specific needs and concerns of their peers. By taking the lead, community women can foster a sense of ownership with revolving-peer- empowerment system, which could be effective and culturally relevant.
7. Strategic Partnership and Networking: Collaborations with NGOs, women’s groups, and media outlets will be crucial in amplifying these efforts, providing women with the tools and platforms needed to advocate for transparency and accountability to ensure benefits of the PIA are equitably distributed.
8. Regular Monitoring and Evaluation: Implement regular monitoring and evaluation of all 3% host communities fund projects, initiatives and progress-tracking across Host Communities Development Trust to ensure such aligns with community needs, particularly, needs of women, which will effectively contribute to sustainable development.
9. Legislative Advocacy for Gender Inclusion: Advocate for new laws that shall mandate a minimum 1% of the 3% Operating Expenditure of Oil and Gas Company should be allocated to women’s empowerment across host communities development trust, projects, programs and activities.
10. Rejig the Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs): Ensure the constitution of Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs) follows clear guidelines that emphasizes gender representation, fair funding management, projects prioritization that reflects the needs of women, and robust accountability measures.
11. Advocacy and Lobbying: Engage with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and community leaders to build strong support for gender justice within the extractive industry, ensuring that women’s voices and concerns are integral in decision-making processes across HCDTs.

Conclusion

The Roundtable concluded with a renewed vigor and commitment to campaign against cultural impediments that frustrate progress of women, alongside, hindrances against women benefiting directly from natural resource opportunities. Participants expressed appreciation to Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group (NDEBUMOG) for organizing the roundtable and Oxfam for supporting the gathering, which was an expository, engaging and educative.

Adopted this 28th day of August, 2024 at Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State and endorsed below on behalf of all participants:

1. His Royal Majesty, Odidem Bassy Etim Edet, JP, Eti Oyo Okpo II, Chairman-Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers.
2. His Royal Highness, King J. D. Nkpe, Paramount Ruler of Alesa Town
3. His Highness (Dr.) George-Hill Anthony, the CEO, NDEBUMOG
4. Barr. Joy Idorerejim Uwaumoh, Legal Practitioner
5. Blessing Nkereuwen Edit,Udung Uko
6. Edidiong Wilson Ekanem, Acting Team Leader, Nsit Ubium Shadow Budget Group