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| Voice for voiceless: benefits of sustainability | |
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05 Sep 2005
"Voice for the voiceless" proclaims business benefits of sustainability at the World Petroleum Congress. Last week the World Petroleum Congress played host to the long-awaited sustainability showcase - a new forum to encourage dialogue and discussion on how the oil and gas industry can contribute to sustainable development in Africa. Mohammed Barkindo, Deputy MD/CEO of Nigeria LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), commended the initiative as giving a "voice to the voiceless", encouraging the international media to give more exposure to opportunities in Africa. Speaking at the showcase, Pat Davies CEO of Sasol (the largest investor in the South African economy) said, "Africa is becoming more and more important as the scramble for oil and gas reserves continues ... We need to create a positive brand around Africa ... We [Africans] have a lot to offer and if we are to realise the benefits of wonderful minerals resources we have in Africa, that requires foreign investment." Dr Mohammed Jahed, Chief Economic Adviser to NEPAD, commented, "it is hoped that by encouraging greater transparency in countries rich in these resources, some of the negative impacts can be mitigated ... according with the priorities of NEPAD with regards to combating corruption, ensuring good governance, and driving towards sustainable development." The initiative, endorsed by NEPAD, Transparency International, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, South Africa’s National Business Initiative was a huge success, attracting no less than 25 senior corporate executives, ministers and NGO leaders. Topics under discussion ranged from climate change to corruption and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). All interview subjects were frank in their response to probing questions about the role of the oil and gas for the future of Africa. The interviews were filmed by AfriSat and compiled into a programme destined to be broadcast across the African continent and featured in Africa investor, a leading publication on private investment in Africa. Peter Eigen, Chairman and founder of Transparency International and Chairman of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative International Advisory Group, was keen to emphasise that the showcase was a "very important initiative" and that he was happy to be associated with it. Dr Eivald Røren, outgoing President of the World Petroleum Council, reinforced this with a call for continuing efforts to improve transparency throughout the industry. Interview subjects were optimistic about the outcome of the conflict in the Niger delta and about the Nigerian government’s efforts to eliminate corruption from the oil business. There was also broad consensus across all stakeholders that the oil and gas business in Africa has a critically important role to play in the continent’s development. To that end, a wealth of information was provided on environmental protection and social development programmes funded by oil and gas industry. Together with video footage of the interviews, these materials are available on the dedicated interactive web-based platform for communication and dialogue, www.SustainabilityShowcase.net, which also informs the UN/NEPAD initiative to accelerate progress to attaining the Millennium Development Goals in Africa entitled Bending the Arc (www.BendingTheArc.com). James Laing, Africapractice, Direct: +44 (0)20 7462 7726 |
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