ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Human and Environmental Development Agenda, in collaboration with a coalition of civil society organisations, has urged the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to ensure the immediate public disclosure of all agreements linked to the controversial OPL 245 oil block.
The call was made in a formal petition addressed to NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Musa Sarkin Adar, following recent media reports suggesting that the Federal Government has entered into a new deal involving Shell, Eni, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
The coalition expressed concern that although the reported agreement points to potential economic gains, it lacks essential details regarding its structure, fiscal terms, and beneficiaries.
“OPL 245 is not just another oil block; it is a symbol of nearly three decades of alleged corruption, abuse of office, and opaque transactions.
“Any new deal involving the same actors must be subjected to the highest level of public scrutiny,” the coalition said.
The groups emphasised that transparency is both a legal and moral responsibility, particularly under the 2023 Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Standard and NEITI’s mandate.
They identified several unresolved issues surrounding the reported deal, including how the OPL 245 block has been divided and allocated, as well as the specific companies holding rights to its various segments.
The coalition also sought clarity on whether NNPC Ltd secured back-in rights and the financial implications, including Nigeria’s current equity stake in the asset.
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“Claims of transparency cannot be substantiated without verifiable public access to the underlying agreements,” the groups stated.
They further questioned whether additional payments were made under the new arrangement and whether such funds were properly remitted into the Federation Account.
The groups also demanded full disclosure of the fiscal framework guiding the deal, particularly in comparison with the widely criticised 2011 agreement.
“Only a comprehensive disclosure of these materials can enable Nigerians to independently assess whether the deal truly serves the national interest,” the coalition said.
Concerns were also raised over reports of new licences carved out of the oil block, including whether due process was followed in their allocation and the ownership structures behind them.
HEDA and its partners called on NEITI to exercise its statutory powers to obtain, review, and publish all relevant documents related to the deal.
“Anything short of full transparency will deepen public suspicion and reinforce perceptions of continued opacity in Nigeria’s extractive sector,” the coalition warned.
They stressed that accountability requires full disclosure of all individuals and institutions involved in negotiating and approving the agreement.
The coalition also indicated plans to escalate the matter to the international Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Board if necessary, citing the global implications of the deal.
“Failure to act swiftly could result in irreversible consequences, especially if the deal proceeds without adequate public scrutiny,” the petition stated.
The petition was jointly endorsed by several organisations, including the Health of Mother Earth Foundation, BudgIT Foundation, Community Outreach for Development and Welfare Advocacy, Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, and Social Action Nigeria.
The groups reaffirmed their commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and the protection of Nigeria’s public resources.