Gas line. Photo: Archived July 28, 2022/ Radio Nigeria
The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with a leading civil society organisation.
The MOU to be signed with the Environmental Rights Action (ERA) aims to deepen civic engagements on environmental justice in the management of oil and gas emissions and gender issues, particularly in the extractive industries host communities.
The NEITI Executive Secretary, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, announced this in Abuja at a meeting with a delegation from Environmental Rights Action (ERA).
Dr Orji said the collaboration would help NEITI focus on environmental justice, Energy Transition, climate change and gender equity.
Responding, the Executive Director, ERA, Chima Williams, described the collaboration with NEITI as “timely” and a project his Organisation was “fully committed to pursuing”.
Mr Williams also called the attention of NEITI to the “inherent dangers” facing the Nigerian economy and environment of the Niger-Delta region as well as the gradual divestment of international oil companies from onshore to offshore operations that requires limited monitoring, leaving behind abandoned oil wells with environmental pollution and degradation consequences.
Writing by Kayode Oyebisi; Editing by Chinasa Ossai and Tony Okerafor