At the first International Anti-Corruption and Climate Change Conference in Abuja, stakeholders emphasized the urgent need for reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector to combat the dual crises of corruption and environmental degradation.
The event was organized by the Human and Environmental Media Development Agenda Resource Centre, in collaboration with Hawkmoth and supported by the MacArthur Foundation.
Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), highlighted that the severe environmental damage in the Niger Delta, including oil spills and pollution, is largely due to corruption rather than natural causes.
He stressed that transparency and accountability are essential in addressing these issues and called for strict adherence to laws and regulations to combat corruption within the industry.
The Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Ishaq Salako, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that transparency and accountability are key to effectively tackling climate change.
Salako, represented by Iniobong Abiola, Director of the Department of Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment, stressed the need for a comprehensive, all-sector approach to address climate challenges.
Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman of HEDA, urged the government to learn from past mistakes in the oil and gas sector as Nigeria transitions to new energy resources like lithium and solar energy.
He called for the establishment of accountability mechanisms to ensure responsible development that benefits all regions of the country.
Suraju warned against repeating the exploitation and mismanagement that have historically plagued Nigeria’s oil sector, advocating for sustainable development that prioritizes the welfare of the people.
