The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI ) yesterday clamoured for women participation in the entire value of the oil and gas and mining industries.
NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, made the call at the 5th Edition of Nkechi Isigwe Annual Lecture (NIAL) organized by the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) in Abuja.
He said :”We need to get our women involved in the entire value chain of the industry -exploration, production and refining of crude oil as well as mining of our mineral deposits.”
He called on the association to take a serious interest in the NEITI reports and use the contents to demand not just accountability but greater women’s involvement in the sector.
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Orji insisted that “unless all are involved, united and understand the contents of the reports, they cannot make the desired impact.
The Executive Secretary said out of 102 companies covered by our 2020 solid mineral sector audit report, only 29 provided information on gender and employment.
“Out of the 5,820 employees, only 14% of women were employed,” he said.
Speaking, APWEN President, Engr. Dr Elizabeth
Jumoke Eterigho, said women empowerment is an integral part and a powerful driver of sustainable socio-economic growth and development of any nation.