N’Delta group advocates laws to empower women

The Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group has called on the National Assembly to initiate legislation which mandates that one per cent of the three per cent operating expenditure of oil and gas companies be allocated specifically for women empowerment programmes in host communities.

This, according to the NDBMG, became imperative to address the marginalisation of women in these communities, who are often disproportionately affected by the environmental and socio-economic impacts of oil exploration and production.

The group made the call in a communique issued at the end of a one-day governmental colloquium on Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act, host communities fund.

Speaking on the need for this legislation, the group highlighted that women in the Niger Delta faced numerous challenges, including limited access to economic opportunities, health care, and education.

“We are advocating for new laws that shall mandate a minimum one per cent of the three per cent Operating Expenditure of Oil and Gas Company to be allocated to women’s empowerment across host communities development trust, projects, programs and activities,” the group said.

The group also called for transparency and accountability in the implementation of PIA, including “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.”

“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.”

The group further stated, “We also want an implementation of regular monitoring and evaluation of all three per cent 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.”