CSR-in-Action, government ministries discuss ‘building local for global’ at SITEI confab tomorrow

Officials of CSR-in-Action, Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), ministries of petroleum resources, mines and steel development, NNPC, Miners’ Association of Nigeria, and other stakeholders will converge on Abuja tomorrow to seek ways to re-position extractive stakeholders, especially the indigenous companies.
The meeting is also geared towards making them understand the present dynamics in the sector, identify new hotspots, develop new strategies to reap maximally from the present-day extractive sector’s reality.
They are meeting at the two-day sixth Sustainability in the Extractive Industries (SITEI) conference organised by CSR-in-Action with the theme Building Local for Global
According to the organisers, this year’s conference also boasts increasing support from both public and private sector with notable partners including, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (FMPR), Federal Ministry of Mines & Steel Development (FMMSD), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Miners’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Zenera Consulting.
CSR-In-Action said in a statement said that over the last 5 years, key stakeholders have come together to discuss critical issues within the industry, including experts from government, business, community, academia, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and media.
It is said this year SITEI conference will delve into the roadmaps for both the oil and gas and mining sectors proposed by the two ministries, to stimulate meaningful exchange of ideas and best practices, and fashion out actionable solutions to the immediate needs of the industries.
Deliberations will, therefore, focus on the 7 Big Wins and 20-point agenda to end militancy in Nigeria from FMPR, and the seven strategic minerals that will guide the mining roadmap to shared prosperity.
“With a full day dedicated to each sector, the first day Wednesday will focus on the critical consideration of the framework on which the oil and gas sector, and what should obtain going forward. Experts at the conference will, therefore, highlight clear paths to local capacity development that will not only increase productivity, but also promote inclusivity and security.
“Shifting gears to the mining sector on Thursday, delegates can expect insights into the operationalisation of the mining roadmap, effective management of existing resources within the economic climate, the enrichment of the value chain, and capacity building for local players,” according to the organisers.
Speakers expected at SITEI 2017, include: Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (HMSPR); Kayode Fayemi, Honourable Minister for Mines and Steel Development (HMMSD); Maikanti Baru, GMD, NNPC; Waziri Adio, Executive Secretary, NEITI; Bank-Anthony Okoroafor, Chairman, PETAN; Ransome Owan, GMD, Aiteo Power & Gas; Bayo Ojulari, MD, SNEPCO; Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary, NCDMB; Alfred Malude, Central Working Committee, PANDEF; Austin Avuru, managing director, Seplat Pet. Dev. Company; Sani Shehu, President, MAN; Michel Puchercos, MD, Lafarge Africa; Abiodun Baiyewu, Country Director, Global Rights; Janet Adeyemi, President, WIMIN; and a host of others.
Speaking to the decision to partner with CSR-in-Action to host SITEI, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu in the statement stated, “There is an immediate need to position the industry for rapid growth and development. The ministry is, therefore, eager to support initiatives such as SITEI that will build on existing frameworks, inspire clear commitments from industry stakeholders, promote transparency, and build local capacity to deliver value.”
In the same vein, Executive Director, NEITI, Waziri Adio expressed, “NEITI is glad to identify and partner with CSR-in-Action to organise the Conference for the third year running. We find the objective of the Conference consistent with the overall mandate of NEITI, and that the overall objective is to ensure that our natural resources aid national development.”
Bekeme Masade, chief executive, CSR-in-Action and Convener, SITEI – further expounded on the gap that SITEI hopes to bridge and the value that private and public support has delivered, saying, “Our vision at CSR-in-Action is to adopt an inclusive approach to solving problems within the industry.
“We strongly believe that it is only through the active participation of diverse, relevant stakeholders that we can actualise strategies for improving the industries, and SITEI provides an open and transparent platform to achieve this. We are, therefore, grateful to sponsors like Aiteo, Ford Foundation, Access Bank, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and Lafarge Africa who have empowered us to increase our efforts this year.”
In expressing Aiteo’s willingness to show strong support for SITEI, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Ndiana Matthew also stated, “Working within the oil & gas industry has provided us with first-hand experience of both the tremendous potential and the recurring challenges within the sector.
“We believe in the platform that SITEI provides to identify effective strategies for accelerated development within the industries and local communities. Its multi-stakeholder approach is unique in its ability to provide a multi-dimensional view of the peculiarities of the industry, and goes a step further to proffer realistic solutions to the inherent problems.”
Delegates can, therefore, look forward to a robust conference with groundbreaking insights and strategic networking opportunities.