This Day (Lagos)
Weneso Orogun
8 July 2009
Abuja — Participants at a three-day retreat on development of a stakeholder-driven anti-corruption strategic framework for the nation's oil and gas sector have called for a whistle blower protection mechanism to enhance effectiveness of anti-graft war in oil and gas sector.
This is contained in a communiqué signed by Engr. Nelson Oyudo, chairman of NNPC's anti-corruption unit and Femi Aaron on behalf of African Diaspora Initiative (ADI), organisers of the event, which took place at Minna, the Niger State capital.
Participants expressed regret at the absence of a mechanism for protecting whistle blowers describing it as a disincentive to people who have information about corruption in high places in the oil industry.
The communiqué described production sharing contract arrangement currently in use in the nation's oil and gas industry as a veritable tool for perpetrating massive corruption and urged that it should be reviewed without further delay.
In addition, participants agreed that powers of the oil minister or his agent to allocate oil blocks under 1969 Petroleum Act be abolished to prevent abuses, while calling on the National Assembly to expeditiously pass the Oil and Gas Reform Bill currently before it.
Other recommendations centred on provision of up-to-date tools, technology and equipment, particularly metering equipment to eliminate massive corruption in the industry.
The need for all regulatory and monitoring agencies acting on behalf of the Nigerian government in the oil and gas industry to be adequately trained, equipped, remunerated and motivated to enable them provide effective oversight was also stressed.
Participants at the event, who included representatives of oil companies, Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and civil society organisations, also recommended effective coordination of activities of anti corruption and regulatory agencies in the sector.
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