Stakeholders call for transparent, accountable governance in Niger Delta

Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement Forum, has called on governors in Niger Delta to be transparent and accountable in the utilization of the funds allocated to the region.

Chief of Party, Charles Abani made the call during the 2015 Niger Delta Civic Engagement Forum held at Port Harcourt, insisting that there is over dependence on oil in Nigeria. 

The forum which was organized by United States Agency for International Development, USAID and Chevron’s Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, PIND discussed developmental issues and ways to stop the marginalization of the region.

The group through a research carried out by their eight partners discovered that Niger Delta has abundant resources to facilitate sustainable development in an open and accountable government. They added that youth unemployment should be tackled and proper attention given to the agricultural sector.

In their recommendation, they emphasized greater citizen participation, access to government information, workable agricultural policies for increase in food production, addressing of youth employment and the proper utilization of public resources.

Speaking at the forum, the Director of Braced Commission, Ambassador Joe Keshi who spoke on “Making Niger Delta Institutions Work Better for People”, concurred that the region was over dependent on oil and has been over burden by debt.

He stated that even though government and civic society has been helpful in trying to alleviate poverty, not much progress has been made.

He noted that in the past, leaders were able to inspire the citizens but that is not the case presently as most leaders depend on charisma and electoral promises to win election and as such they cannot be used as role models to tell children to imitate them.

On the way forward, he mentioned that there is a need for mutual respect, trust and discipline between the government, citizens and civic society and that the government needs to move away from palliatives to start investing in real economy and have an inclusive government.

The second speaker, a Social Activist, Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack who spoke on “Increasing Civic Engagement in Development in Niger Delta”, said there is a need for civic education for all Nigerians as most of them do not know how to behave in a democratic society. He noted that most agents of socialization have failed to teach them the habits, values and behavior they need to exhibit in the society and advised that civic education should be reintroduced into secondary schools, tertiary institutions and it should be taught in the society via seminars.

Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack stated that on the eve before the former President Olusegun Obasanjo left office, he introduced Civic Education in to the Secondary School Curriculum. He disclosed that they encountered numerous challenges as stakeholders in the education sector thought they had a hidden agenda for introducing the subject and there was shortage of teachers so most social studies teachers were the ones who taught the subject. He added that even after training scores of teachers in an exchange programme in the United State for 2-3 weeks programme which they financed for various teachers for two years, on getting to some states, the Commissioner for Education refused them access to the Public School Students but they were welcomed in Private Schools.

2^nd Left: Dennis Flemming, Heather Kulp at Edo State Co-operative Farmers Agency Ltd, ESCFAL fair stand while Nosa Amayo explain their farm produce

Another speaker, Executive Director, Centre for Development Support Initiatives, CEDSI, Dr. Margret Ogbanga who spoke on “Increasing Space for Marginalized Group in Niger Delta”, said the region became marginalized when Lord Luggard amalgamated North and Southern Nigeria in 1914, he referred to Niger Delta as a minority and since then the issue of space and size of the population has played a major role in its marginalization. She added that due to its difficult terrain, insecurity, ethnic turbulence, perceived backwardness, marginalization as well as donors reservation has been an hindrance to Niger Delta been unmarginalized.

Dr. Magaret Ogbanga noted that stakeholders and government has not represented the region well in terms of effectively utilizing funds given to them for the region and stated that they should endeavour to leave their office better than they met it and quipped that everyone should be an agent of change as this is the only way that space will be increased and if utilized properly will be able to remove the region from marginalization.

While the final speaker, Executive Director, Gender Perspective as well as the Manager of Partnership Opportunities for Women Empowerment, POWER Realization, POWER, Tammie Kammonke who spoke on “The Role of Development Partners in Supporting Citizens Led Growth in Niger Delta”, said for partnership to succeed between community and development partners, there is a need for mutual respect and participation from both party while the community has to take responsibility and be able to put their development plan to action when they are provided with the needed fund.

The forum had a fair hosted by eight partners who enlightened participants about their projects. The partners are Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights, CCIDESOR in Owerri, Imo State, headed by Emeka Ononamadu; Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ in Benin City, Edo State, headed by Innocent Edemhanria; Youth Alive Foundation, YAF in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State headed by Dr. Mrs. Uduak Okon; Ugboroke Progressive Fish Farmers, UPFFA in Uvwie Delta State, headed by Esther Okoh; Edo State Co-operative Farmers Agency Ltd, ESCFAL in Benin City, Edo State, headed by Nosa Confidence Amayo; Nembe City Development Foundation, NCDF in Nembe Bayelsa State, headed by Taritein Boco; Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment, LITE_Africa in Warri Delta State, headed by Jerry Nwaigwe and Social Action, SA in Port Harcourt, headed by Boney Akaeze.

The speakers, organizer and partners at the forum

Meanwhile on the issue of security, the Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Butswat Asinim while disclosing that security is everyone’s job, said “security is everybody’s business”, urging everyone to partner with policemen so that they can provide peaceful and enabling environment for businessmen.

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