Request for Application (RFA) - Consultant to Assess the Operation of Oil and Gas Commissions at the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ)

Posted by Future on Thu 03rd Mar, 2022 - nigeriantenders.com

The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) invites eligible and reputable consultant(s) to submit applications for the following works:

The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) is a non-government organization whose goal is to amplify the voice of the weak, the less privileged and the marginalized groups in the society including women, youths, and People Living With Disabilities in order to increase their participation in the democratic decision-making process.

As its basis, ANEEJ believes in a democratic system for managing human interest and operates within two broad focal areas namely environmental and economic justice. Specifically, ANEEJ implements projects relating to governance and democracy, human rights (including migration and development issues) and anti-corruption, peace building and conflict resolution, development effectiveness, environment including water, sanitation and hygiene among others.

Applications are invited for:

Title: Request for Application (RFA) for A Consultant to Assess the Operation of Oil and Gas Commissions in 5 Niger Delta States

Background and Rationale

The Niger Delta of Nigeria has continued to be a paradox as trillions of oil derivation revenue accruing to the states of the oil-rich region since the return of democratic governance in 1999, has not translated into concrete development for the region. Thus, the Niger Delta states receive 13% derivation funds from the Federal Government as its quota of revenue derived from oil. Whilst there has been a clamour for increase in the derivation funds by the region’s elites and arguments in support of resource control, it is believed that to a large extent, the issues surrounding the use of derivation funds come down to mismanagement, lack of transparency and accountability.

The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) conducted a research entitled Oil of Poverty in the Niger Delta. The research led to the discovery that only Ondo State had an institutional framework for the management of the 13 per cent derivation fund vide the Ondo State Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission. On the strength of this discovery, ANEEJ developed advocacy strategy to get other states in the region to have an institutionalised framework. Efforts in that direction led to the establishment of Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission and the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission. Imo and Abia States not located in the region later took a queue.

However, a 2021 report by an online newspaper, PREMIUM TIMES assessed exactly why the large amount of funds going into the region through derivation have not led to any positive outcomes for local communities, as well as developed actionable recommendations on changes that need to be made to the current disbursement processes to ensure the funds reach those they are intended to benefit. The report revealed that the current legislative regime for revenue sharing in Nigeria prescribes and manages disbursements to the sub-national government level but does not legislate the expenditure of these revenues. Thus, legislation needs to be implemented to regulate expenditure. Likewise, there needs to be effective monitoring and oversight functions by the government to ensure proper utilization of derivation funds.

It is against this backdrop that ANEEJ Cluster is seeking the services of a seasoned consultant with vast experience on the issues of the people of oil-rich Niger Delta and the challenges and weakness associated with the state oil and gas commissions that will inform Civil Society advocacy for reforms of the commissions for greater efficiency, transparency and accountability in delivering their mandates.

Objective of the Assignment

To assess five (5) Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commissions performance and review their enabling laws to inform Civil Society advocacy actions in the region.

Scope of Work

Present a brief analysis of the situation in the Niger Delta
Review the mandates of the commissions as reflected in the laws and show how inclusive such mandates are
Examine how far the commissions have been able to implement their mandates
Assess funding to the commissions in the past 10 years and the sufficiency of such funds in financing the commissions’ operation and development initiatives
Discuss how to increase funding/alternative funding model for the commissions.
Assess if the commissions have been able to apply available resources to improve the living standard of the people
Make recommendations on gaps identified, and how to improve the work of the commissions. The recommendations will inform Civil Society Advocacy for reforms of the institutions for greater inclusion, service delivery, responsiveness, transparency and accountability.

Consultant’s Qualifications

The consultant should be a firm, organization or individuals that ANEEJ considers to be credible, trustworthy and technically competent. A background in law will be an advantage.

The consultant must demonstrate:

Experience and knowledge of the Niger Delta development challenges, the oil and gas commissions
Understanding of provision of their enabling laws
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to present the report to ANEEJ Cluster, other CSOs and media stakeholders
Knowledge of the extractive sector and prior working experience and knowledge of the Niger Delta issues.

Application Closing Date

16th March, 2022.

Submission of Documents

Interested consultants should apply with their detailed Curriculum Vitae and a Capacity statement of not more than two pages to: procurement@aneej.org

N/B: Only applicants that satisfy the qualifications above shall be contacted.

Click Here (PDF) for a detailed description of the RFA.