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A coalition of Civil Societies, Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Nigeria, says active citizen’s participation in the extractive industry will strengthen transparency and accountability of natural resources.
Mr Monday Osasah, Chairperson, PWYP Global Council, said this on Tuesday in Lagos at a three-day Capacity Building for PWYP Nigeria Board of Trustees and Steering Committee Members.
PWYP is a global coalition campaigning and advocating for extractive resources to be beneficial to the citizens.
The programme is organised by African Centre for Leadership Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), under Ford Foundation and supported by Strengthening an Intersectional Approach to Natural Resource Governance Project.
Osasah, also the Executive Director of (Centre LSD said the training was aimed at empowering the leadership of PWYP Nigeria to harmonise her strategies and procedures in delivering the mission of the coalition in a more impactful way.
He said that citizen’s involvement would help resolve the issue of mistrust that exists between governments and citizens over the years.
“PWYP should be the reference point as seen in other climes but in Nigeria, the reverse is the case.
“We are not as strong as we should be whereas we are supposed to play a leading role in Africa.
“Therefore, the need to sharpen member’s skills and brainstorm on how to do things differently become imperative,” he said.
Osasah noted that government had signed the Petroleum Industry Act into law and working on developing a regulation for its implementation.
According to him, PWYP has a major role to play in the process.
He said the capacity building programme would equip the coalition to engage Nigerians to have a regulation that resonates with the people.
The PWYP chairperson said the move would equally pave a way for transparency and accountability in the extractive sector.
“For the extractive industry to benefit the citizens today and tomorrow, there must be a strong governance that will reduce the current marginalisation and inequity that beclouds the industry.
“That’s why we must continue to intensify this campaign to ensure that the extractive industry delivers prosperity to citizens,” he said.
The National Coordinator of PWYP Nigeria, Mr Taiwo Otitolaye, said that the training would strengthen the capacity, structure and programme of the coalition members.
Otitolaye said that the training would also assist its members use advocacy to tackle issues of corruption in the extractive sector. (NAN)
