By Henry Uche, Lagos
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) joins forces at the 2023 Annual Partners Meeting and community of practice, organised under the Extractive Industry and Climate Change Governance Fund managed by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) to foster dialogue and share insights among partners, aiming to find innovative solutions to address critical issues within the fund’s focus area and the broader resources sector.
The two-day meeting held in Ghana’s capital, Accra, attended by organisations under the fund, provided a valuable platform for the exchange of ideas, discussions on key issues, and the sharing of lessons learned from projects undertaken under the fund or recently completed.
HEDA, represented by its Legal and Acting Program Manager, David Ogungbesan, and Legal and Program Liaison Officer, Cecilia Ogwuche, joined other esteemed organisations, including the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), Global Rights, Institute for Energy Security, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Centre for Extractives and Development (CEDA), and several other partner organisations.
Delivering a presentation on behalf of the civil society organisation, David reported on HEDA’s recent project funded by the Extractive Industry and Climate Change Governance Fund, titled “Assessment of 2021 Petroleum Licensing Round for Marginal Fields in Nigeria and Stakeholders Engagement.”
Under this project, HEDA had engaged leading experts in the extractive sector to conduct a comprehensive research and assessment of the 2021 marginal field bidding process. The findings of that assessment were validated during an expert meeting, and the subsequent report was published under the title, “Spotlighting the Oil and Gas: A Review of the 2020/2021 Marginal Fields Bid Licensing Round in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, following the public presentation of the report on June 26, 2023, HEDA held scheduled consultations with various state actors, including the Ministry of Environment, NOSDRA, NESREA, NUPRC, and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). These engagements resulted in commitments and assurances that the study’s findings would serve as the foundation for policy reforms and the effective enforcement of best practices in the extractive sector.
HEDA emphasised the importance of building upon the project’s findings, particularly with regards to investigating corruption and financial kickbacks during the marginal field bidding process, as well as monitoring the exploration of the awarded marginal fields and their impact on the environment. The organisation further commended the efforts of NUPRC under the Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe for its reform -oriented leadership and more importantly, the ongoing enforcement of the metering process of oil exploitation and export by the extractive companies.
The session rounded off with a presentation by ACEP, emphasising the need for all partners to responsibly utilise funds in accordance with the project’s principles and to ensure transparent reporting and accountability.
HEDA applauded ACEP for providing funds and resources to partner organisations, enabling engagement in the extractive sector and the promotion of climate justice. This collaboration is vital in addressing the challenges faced in the extractive industry and working toward sustainable solutions for the benefit of all stakeholders and Nigerians at large.