The Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group (NDEBUMOG) has called for the inclusion of women in Nigeria’s extractive sector to promote gender justice and ensure greater participation in the management of natural resources.
During a roundtable event in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the group demanded the implementation of the 30% women’s economic inclusion campaign outlined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). NDEBUMOG also advocated for transparency in the implementation of the PIA and provided training and resources to host community representatives, particularly women, to enhance their understanding of the fiscal regime.
The group sought strategic partnerships with non-governmental organizations, women’s groups, and media outlets to amplify its efforts in advocating for transparency and accountability in the distribution of the PIA’s benefits.
NDEBUMOG highlighted the importance of initiatives that support women’s empowerment, such as economic incentives, healthcare, and education. The group emphasized the need for capacity building to empower trust fund representatives and ensure strong accountability mechanisms to monitor the use of funds and ensure equitable distribution.
The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, Odidem Edet, chaired the roundtable, which featured other traditional rulers, including the paramount rulers of Mbo Local Government Area and Alesa (Refinery) Town. Edet lamented the diminishing role of traditional rulers in governance and urged the government to grant them constitutional roles in administering the 3% Host Communities Fund under the PIA.
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 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, are better managers of resources and should play a more active role in decision-making.
