PIA Success Stories Facilitated by Accountability Lab Nigeria
Martins Asukpa pinpoints the remarkable progress in addressing environmental degradation and promoting environmental remediation in his community through Accountability Lab (AL) Nigeria’s Civic Action Teams (CivActs).
Martins Asukpa, a member of the Ibeno community from Akwa-Ibom state, had witnessed the environmental pollution caused by ExxonMobil’s operations—including gas flaring and oil spills—for a long time. The environmental pollution has not only endangered the livelihoods of his community by polluting the air and water, but it has also resulted in significant health issues for community members.
Martins and other community members were provided with the knowledge and skills necessary to self-advocate for their rights and benefits through the CivActs, as AL Nigeria identified the necessity for increased community advocacy and representation. This resulted in the establishment of a Community Justice Team (CJT) in the Ibeno community, and AL Nigeria educated them on the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF). AL Nigeria also initiated a radio show program tagged ‘’Voices of the Community”—a platform that has been instrumental in creating awareness and supporting community members to better understand the PIA and the HCDTF.
Martins actively participated in the radio program, including the training and sensitization programs as a member of the CJT. Through these, he was empowered and improved his advocacy skills. Equipped with the skills and knowledge, Martins and other CJT members started advocating for their community development through town hall meetings. This bridged the gap between the community and stakeholders, as they engaged with ExxonMobil by conducting in-person meetings and separately with the board of trustees. They also sent letters to highlight the challenges faced by community members, insisting that ExxonMobil contribute to the Ibeno community by implementing community development plans (CDP) to address their environmental challenges.
As a result of these, ExxonMobil accepted responsibility for the environmental damage they had caused. ExxonMobil initiated the implementation of tangible measures to address the community’s concerns. To mitigate the consequences of pollution, they initiated and implemented a waste management evacuation project that was focused on environmental sustainability. Additionally, they awarded contracts to local contractors, ensuring that the community benefited directly from the economic opportunities. Martin’s involvement in the CJT enabled him to establish himself as a community leader, and he remains inspired to advocate for the rights of his community. Additionally, ExxonMobil has committed to implementing additional community development programs that are consistent with their CDP.
“The people of Ibeno have experienced a significant change concerning the HCDTF. Settlors can no longer exploit us because we now know better. I implore Accountability Lab Nigeria to continue with their good work, especially the radio program’’. Martins Asukpa
Precious Ibegwura, a member of the Community Justice Team, recounts a change in the level of compliance from oil companies that began through Accountability Lab (AL) Nigeria’s Civic Action Teams (CivActs) in the Egi community of Rivers State.
One of the provisions of the Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF) regulation Section 12 (1a) is that the oil company, before establishing the trust, must consult the host communities for the appointment of the Board of Trustees (BOTs) to ensure the voices of the community are heard in the decision-making process.
However, before AL Nigeria’s CivActs intervention, there was a high level of non-compliance to this provision of the HCDTF regulation by Total Energies in the Egi community. Precious noted that community members were not engaged regarding the appointment of BOTs and the Management Committee members, both of which had already been inaugurated. Some community members (a group called the Egi People Assembly) with ties to Total Energies, primarily residing in Port Harcourt, negotiated their appointments to safeguard the oil company’s interests. This was a major challenge for Precious and members of her community, as it was clear that they were being exploited and excluded from the decision-making process with little or no knowledge of how to make things right.
AL Nigeria, in response to this challenge, identified the necessity for increased community advocacy and representation. This resulted in the establishment of a Community Justice Team (CJT), with Precious as a member, and training for them, including the use of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act for effective advocacy. This training empowered Precious and other CJTs with the knowledge and tools needed to approach Total Energies. They initiated advocacy efforts for compliance, such as a peaceful protest at the Port Harcourt branch of Total Energies, voicing their concerns and sending letters to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) seeking insights into the activities of Total Energies in their community.
‘’The knowledge gained from the FOI Act training has enlightened me and exposed the secrets of the oil companies. The oil companies need to do better with carrying us along’’. Precious
Faced with a community that is now informed, Total Energies had no choice but to comply to ensure the inaugurated BOTs for the HCDTF are individuals nominated and approved by the Egi community. Additionally, they also requested a “peace talk” between the oil company, the BOTs, and the community members to chart a course towards mutual understanding of the community development plan (CDP) and ensure compliance with the provisions of the HCDTF regulations.
Stephen Okunima, a member of the Community Justice Team from the Utagba Ogbe community in Delta State, shares the story of his community through Accountability Lab (AL) Nigeria’s Civic Action Teams (CivActs).
Mr. Stephen shared that before AL Nigeria’s CivActs programme, Nigerian Agip Oil, had yet to establish the Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF). He identified this as a significant challenge, as the absence of the HCDTF would deprive the community of its rightful benefits. He explained that the delay was due to the community’s hesitation, driven by fear of the unknown surrounding the HCDTF provisions. They were concerned that it might dismantle the existing benefits of the Community Accredited Contact Committee (CACC) under their Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) with the oil company. Additionally, the professional qualifications required for HCDTF Board of Trustees (BOTs) positions excluded many members of the former CACC structure, who resisted the new HCDTF transition structure to avoid being displaced.
AL Nigeria, recognizing the community’s concerns, established and trained a Community Justice Team (CJT) on the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). Stephen found the training useful; he gained more insights into the provisions of the PIA and the HCDTF. In a proactive step to tackle this challenge, he mobilized other CJTs and initiated several community engagements where he transferred the knowledge. They discussed what he learnt from the training to bridge the knowledge gap and enable those resisting the HCDTF to understand its benefits for the community’s good.
The community’s understanding of the PIA and the HCDTF has significantly increased, leading to widespread acceptance. Through town hall meetings organized by Stephen and other CJTs, even those who initially resisted the HCDTF in favour of the CACC have now fully embraced the HCDTF structure. As a result, AGIP, recognizing the community’s increased awareness after engaging in several dialogues with the community, has established the Trust. They also inaugurated a Board of Trustees, with members nominated by the community, ensuring they are individuals the community trusts.
‘’Many people in the oil-producing communities were unaware of their privileges under the PIA and the HCDTF regulation, but the training has been instrumental in bringing this to our attention.” Stephen
