Niger Delta NGOs Capacity Built On Oil & Gas Sector Accountability Programming

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Port Harcourt

The need for improved transparency, accountability in doing business within the oil and gas sector, was today, Thursday, emphasized amongst Niger Delta Civil Society Space.

With support from Oxfam, Abuja Based non government organizations, Connected Development (CODE) and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) are building the capacities of non profit organizations working within the governance thematic areas in Niger Delta States.

The capacity building initiative is a two day event currently on going at Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital city.

For two days, the non state actors will gain deeper insights into understanding the United Nation's Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Details contained in copies of consultative draft document on National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights In Nigeria, is designed to help participants understand their roles and potential impacts of the initiatives when fully implemented.

Activities of the day one unveiled that participants took turn to share their experience working on projects, programs and activities within the extractive industry.

BudgIT, an NGO, activively involved in budget monitoring engagements, shared insight into how the organization had successfully mobilized stakeholders in the extractive industry to make impact.

Using theory of change principles, Henry Ushei from Oxfam, explained in detail an overview of the conflict and fragility project.

A project designed to improve transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector as well as promoting agency for host communities.

Two other training sessions exposed participants to ' legal instruments on the regulation of the extractive industry ' and ' income trail of the oil and gas sector.

At the end of the two day capacity building initiative, participants will be exposed to findings from CODE's conflict and fragility community outreach activities in Delta and Akwa Ibom States.

A presentation on the National Action Plan on Business & Human Rights, group works on post capacity building advocacy, awareness creation, feedback mechanism and participants buy-in into comprehensive commitment towards eventual full implementation of the project will define participant's two days capacity building program.

SOURCE: ASABA POST NEWS WIRE (ONLINE)