CategoriesHEDA News

HEDA 38th ACSR: Stakeholders Urge President Tinubu to Intensify Anti-Corruption Efforts

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s fight against corruption convened at the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room (ACSR), organized by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre). They called on President Bola Tinubu to adopt a holistic approach to combat corruption, addressing all sectors and managing public expectations. They also urged the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2022-2026 as a working document. The event, themed “Ethics, Integrity, Corruption Risk Assessments, and Anti-Corruption at National and Sub-National Levels in Nigeria: Sustaining the Fight Against Corruption,” aimed to engage stakeholders in responding to the country’s recent corruption perception rating, addressing pervasive issues of corruption and impunity, and fostering a culture of ethical respect, integrity, and accountability at all levels of governance. Participants emphasized that deterrence remains the best strategy in the fight against corruption. They called for sustained punishment for corrupt individuals and improvements in the quality of investigations and law enforcement. Despite the challenges, participants expressed hope and agreed to intensify efforts to eradicate corruption for Nigeria’s prosperity, social, economic, and political renaissance. Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, decried the state of corruption in Nigeria, describing it as a major obstacle to the country’s development. He urged Nigerians to support law enforcement agencies in holding corrupt persons accountable. He said, “The fight against corruption is for everyone. When you see people being investigated and we have shown you the evidence, don’t join them to carry placards and abuse EFCC, ICPC, and because you are contributing to the problems. All of us must fight this corruption together” Speaking as the keynote speaker on the theme, “Fostering Integrity and Accountability to Reclaim Our Future: Strategies for Combating Corruption and Impunity Across Board in Nigeria,” Prof. Shehu Abdullah identified strong political will and an effective legislative framework as key strategies to combat corruption and impunity in Nigeria. He also urged state actors to prioritize accountability, stating, “Earning the trust and confidence of the citizens through accountability is critical in combating corruption. Involving the people and ensuring the accessibility of civil society are essential.” Prof. Abdullah emphasized the importance of public officials declaring their assets and ensuring such declarations are verified. He called for the strengthening of regimes to prevent corruption and bring corrupt actors to justice. “Despite the importance of prevention, deterrence remains the best option,” he concluded. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) challenged anti-corruption agencies to go beyond prosecuting financial crimes in the courts and actively engage citizens in the fight against corruption. He stressed the importance of framing corruption in ways that resonate with ordinary Nigerians, particularly at the grassroots level. Chairman of HEDA Resource Centre, Olanrewaju Suraju, highlighted the need for political will to enforce and implement anti-corruption laws effectively. He emphasized the critical role of civil society, the media, and the public in promoting transparency and pushing for accountability, especially in an environment where politicians might lack the will to pursue anti-corruption agendas. “The only problem we consistently contend with is the commitment and the will to implement the laws. If we can implement 50 percent of the laws in Nigeria, we will be far better than where we are.” He added. The conference included three key sessions: Leveraging Media, Technology, and Civil Society Partnerships to Combat Impunity and Promote Corruption Prevention; promoting Judicial Independence, Rule of Law, and Ethical Leadership for Integrity in Public and Private Sectors; and Enhancing Integrity and Accountability in the Public Sector to Strengthen Anti-Corruption Agencies and Combat Grand Corruption for Sustainable Governance. Participants concluded the conference with a renewed sense of hope and commitment to intensifying efforts to combat corruption, ensuring Nigeria’s leadership in the regional and international arena.

CategoriesHEDA News

Oil and Gas Exploration: 70% of Bayelsa Residents Blame Oil Activities for Pollution; 79% Suffer Health Issues, 82% Criticize Government Response – HEDA Report

–  CSO Demands effective remediation efforts, greater accountability from IOCs, FG A recent report by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has highlighted the severe impact of oil and environmental pollution in Bayelsa State, one of the oil-producing states in the Niger Delta region. The report, titled “Report of On-the-Spot Assessment of Oil and Gas Exploration Activities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria,” provides a detailed account of the detrimental effects of frequent oil exploitation, spills and pollution in Bayelsa. The findings reveal a significant reduction in agricultural productivity, increasing contamination of water resources, and loss of biodiversity, leading to long-term ecosystem damage and the disappearance of traditional medicinal plants. The comprehensive survey, which involved 289 respondents from all eight local government areas in Bayelsa State, including Brass, Ekremor, Lolokuma/Opokuma, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama, Southern Ijaw, and Yenagoa, found that 70.2% of respondents believe that oil and gas activities have significantly contributed to environmental pollution and degradation in the State. Water pollution was reported by 55.7% of respondents, making it the most prevalent type of pollution experienced. This was followed by air pollution (23.18%), soil pollution (15.92%), and other types of pollution (4.84%). The research also discovered that majority of respondents 79.24% and their families in each of the local government areas experience negative health effects due to oil pollution in their communities. The local government areas of Kolokuma/Opokuma, Nembe, and Yenagoa, which have a high number of oil installations, reported particularly high levels of health issues. On the question of government accountability, 70.24% of respondents believe that the government does not hold oil and gas companies accountable for environmental damage, while only 20.42% expressed that they are somewhat accountable, and 9.34% said they are highly accountable. Additionally, 54.86% of respondents believe that companies can adequately address concerns related to land degradation or deforestation resulting from oil and gas activities. In terms of government responsiveness, 81.94% of respondents are not satisfied with the response of federal government agencies to environmental concerns raised by the affected communities. Furthermore, 75.26% do not believe that government agencies effectively oversee and enforce regulations to protect the rights of the community. The report also evaluated the handling of oil and gas asset divestment by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Bayelsa State. Respondents rated the divestment handling as poor (67.13%), fair (18.34%), not available (8.65%), good (5.19%), and excellent (0.69%). Similarly, 72.32% of respondents rated the transparency of International Oil Companies (IOCs) in communicating processes as poor, while 12.80% rated it fair, 5.54% good, 0.35% excellent, and 9.00% not available. Local community involvement in the divestment process was also assessed, with 41.52% of respondents stating that they are not involved at all, 39.79% not very involved, 12.11% somewhat involved, and 0.69% very involved. Regarding the perception of companies’ responsiveness to citizens’ concerns and feedback on divestment, 42.56% of respondents said they are not responsive at all, 25.26% not very responsive, and only 1.73% found them responsive. When asked about their awareness of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) checklist, 73% of respondents said they do not know about the NUPRC checklist, while 27% said they are aware and have access to it. Focus Group Discussions conducted as part of the research highlighted several critical issues, including environmental catastrophes, severe impacts on respondents’ livelihoods, human rights violations, health crises, and socio-cultural degradation. The focus group discussions underscored the urgent need for infrastructural maintenance to prevent such failures. Meanwhile, HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju emphasized the need for urgent action, stating, “The NUPRC should enforce environmental regulations with stricter penalties for non-compliant IOCs. Increased funding and ensuring transparency in remediation efforts are essential. Regular engagement between IOCs, government agencies, and communities should be mandated, along with the development of community-led monitoring initiatives. “Launching comprehensive health programs and conducting long-term health studies are vital. Sustainable livelihood programs, and fair compensation for affected communities should be prioritized. Strengthening anti-corruption frameworks with technology for transparency is crucial.” The report’s findings are stark reminders of the ecological and economic sustainability challenges facing Bayelsa State. As Suraju noted, “The findings of this research highlight the urgent need for comprehensive and effective remediation efforts, stronger regulatory enforcement, and greater accountability from both IOCs and government bodies. These measures are crucial for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of leases in various capacities and guiding development, enhancing accountability, and informing stakeholders.” The full report of the “On-the-Spot Assessment of Oil and Gas Exploration Activities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria” is available on the HEDA website and can be downloaded here (Report of On-the-Spot Assessment of Oil and Gas Exploration Activities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria – HEDA Resource Centre). The report offers valuable insights to inform discussions, policies, and decisions shaping the nation’s future.