FG should make public current capacity of Nigeria’s crude oil exploration -NAS

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA —- THE National Association of Seadogs, NAS has called on the Federal Government’s relevant stakeholders to conduct research to determine the current capacity of Nigeria’s crude oil exploration, exploitation, and exportation.

The call the association explained was aimed at ensuring transparency on Oil production.

This was contained in a communication issued at the end of the Citizens Summit on the energy crisis and the escalating energy cost in Nigeria hosted by the Zuma Deck of NAS in collaboration with the Center for Transparency Advocacy in Abuja.

The communique issued at the end of the summit which was signed by the Zuma Deck Capoon, Victor Ikiriko, called for a multi-pronged approach, including increased transparency, improved governance, anti-corruption measures, energy diversification, and citizen participation.

According to the communique, “The Nigerian local economy is largely and heavily dependent on local energy consumption by way of power and Premium Motor Spirit. This dependence means that the life of citizens revolves heavily around these two energy sources.

“In recent times, these energy sources have witnessed a escalating increase in unit cost for consumers, making it almost inaccessible for many a citizen.”

Industry experts and Civil Society Organizations, CSO’s and the Nigerian public used the occasion to analyze industry deficiencies and how as citizens, we can help find lasting solutions to the crisis.

The communique explained that the objectives of the summit were to foster open communication by policymakers, industry experts and Nigerian citizens, focus on actionable steps and implementation to ameliorate the obvious inaccessibility of energy by Nigerians and to encourage conversations around investment in renewable energy sources.

Others are to incentivize businesses and individuals to adopt energy-efficient technologies, to advocate policy changes and encourage the development of local, decentralized energy systems, to encourage investment to improve Nigeria’s immediate and future energy infrastructure and to leverage on community-led initiatives to drive energy innovation and access.

Participants at the summit said the theme of the summit “Energy crisis in a biting economy: What citizens say”, was carefully chosen in the wake of biting hike in electricity tariff, irregular Service Based Tariffs (SBT), incessant and arbitrary increase in cost of Premium Motor Spirit PMS (fuel), domestic gas and other major sources of energy for national productivity, and the need to provide frameworks that will mitigate the negative impacts on the citizens.

It further said, “The summit was a multi-stakeholder level engagement which had in attendance experts and stakeholders from diverse’ fields which include practitioners in the energy sector, media, civil society organizations, health and Judicial sector, etc.”

The communique stated that participants highlighted the dire state of the energy sector, with citizens facing power outages and high fuel costs.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Ayokunle Fagbemi emphasized the deteriorating infrastructure and lack of transparency in the sector and also questioned the government’s commitment to citizen participation and criticized forum shopping tactics.

He called for a strong anti-corruption crusade within the energy sector.

“Participants agreed that for an improved governance in the energy sector, there must be detailed research on Nigeria’s crude oil capacity, transparent prosecution of oil theft culprits, revamp of the energy sector to eliminate corruption and the institutionalization of trust in government through demonstrably good governance practices.

“The need for participatory democracy and transparent prosecution of culprits perpetuating crisis in the energy sector was emphasized.

“It was advocated that the energy sector is decentralized and diversified. Nigeria’s potentials as a gas-producing country was highlighted and the need for transparency in the energy sector was strongly emphasized.

“Concerns were raised about why the country was not utilizing its abundant energy resources well despite the abundance of water, the land and the sun, instead the government encourages an energy infrastructure that is driven by political considerations rather than critical mapping and needs assessment.

“There was a call for transparent industry audit to determine capacity, identification of oil thieves and their transparent prosecution. Other contributors advocated for the need to give demand side considerations to energy sector that emphasizes the importance of addressing affordability and managing energy demand alongside supply concerns.

“In the same vein, diversification and decentralization of energy sources as well as the need for public awareness and active citizen engagement cannot be overemphasized.”

The communique further stated that the summit recommends that the government should demonstrate a commitment to good governance and regain citizen trust. Conduct research to determine the current capacity of Nigeria’s crude oil exploration, exploitation, and export.”

It direct the Attorney General to drop charges against those protesting for End SARS and End Bad Governance, educate citizens on government policies, particularly those related to the upcoming End Bad Governance protests, actively combat energy theft, especially crude oil theft, and prosecute perpetrators without bias.Following Committee/

“Government should sincerely implement recommendations made by committees set up by government in their reports. Government officials and agencies must demonstrate effective utilization of allocated resources and expertise. Government in Nigeria should conduct itself in such a way that will show goodwill and restore trust in the government.”

In conclusion also known as Pyrates Confraternity and the Center for Transparency Advocacy Citizens’ Summit 2024 highlighted the urgency of addressing the energy crisis in Nigeria.

“This communique therefore calls for a multi-pronged approach, including increased transparency, improved governance, anti-corruption measures, energy diversification, and citizen participation,” it said.

According to the communique, “By implementing these recommendations, Nigeria can move towards a more sustainable and equitable energy future.”

Speakers and Discussants at the Summit were Dr. Ayokunle Fagbemi, Key Speaker, Dr Sam Amadi, Director Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts Dr, Emeke Okengwu, a Development Economist Dr. Yunusa Tanko Engr. Faith Nwadishi Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Transparency Advocacy and Dr. Shittu Shuaibu, of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Other eminent Nigerians in attendance were: Dr. Joseph Oteri (Cap’n, National Association of Seadogs) Prof. Udenta Udenta and Viktor Ikiriko, Capoon Zuma Deck, among others.