West Africa Oil Watch

Fostering Transparency

Through Civil Engagement

Message From Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone: Consultative meetings on Oil

Introduction
According to the UNODC, between the years of 1960 & 1999, roughly $400 Billion was lost to oil corruption within Nigeria alone. This is approximately the same amount of International Aid given to the entire region within that same amount of time. Development projects have been enacted to address perhaps a few issues within the region pertaining to a marginalized and fractured program at reaching just one of the many implications inhibiting development but these projects fall short of addressing the issues at their source and in a comprehensive manner. Within this overview, we will describe our operations at addressing corruption within the oil sector and their salient liaison to the core issues of development.

Background
Between December 2012 and January 2013 the West Africa Oil Watch, in collaboration with various local partners, organized a series of civil-society-led consultative workshops on Sierra Leone’s nascent oil industry. The workshops were convened in Freetown and in the oil-producing district of Pujehun with the objective of providing an avenue for further consultations with the general public about the ongoing oil finds and its (socio-economic, political, environmental, and human rights) implication for sustainable development and peacebuilding. The meetings provided various stakeholders (government, civil society, private sector, business and religious leaders and academics) with an opportunity to extensively deliberate on issues of community engagement, environmental policies, legislations, regulations and guidelines relating to the country’s emerging oil sector.
Oil was discovered in Sierra Leone’s off shore waters in 2009 by the Texas-based Anadarko. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the West African Coastal Province – which includes Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea – has an estimated 3.2 million barrels of oil. The development on these reserves, which could be significant, is still several years away. For a country with a GDP of 325 dollars – the oil find is expected to be a massive boost to its economy.  In 2011 the government announced the commencement of drilling. The country’s Petroleum Act, which was guided by agreements with oil companies, was rushed through parliament as an emergency bill by the president's office in July 2011.  The Petroleum Resource Unit, formerly the Petroleum Directorate, is under the Office of the President.
Participants:  For the consultative meeting in Freetown 30 Participants from civil society organizations and coalitions working directly on the extractive industry, as well as from academia and the private sector were present. In Pujehun district the meeting consisted of chiefs, landowners, farmers, students and representatives from the coastal communities, especially those engaged in the fishing industry.

Issues raised
There has been very little discussion and as such very little understanding so far of the ongoing discovery of oil in the country. This could be due to a number of reasons, deliberate or otherwise on the part of the government and the oil companies.
Location: The drilling is taking place offshore, away from the prying eyes of the general public. As such only the frontline communities, so far are experiencing the direct effects. Furthermore the oild finds are in one of the most remote and isolated districts in the country, far away from the seat of power in Freetown.
Specialized nature: Furthermore the oil industry is a very specialized sector which makes it hard for the general population to fully understand the key issues at stake.
New industry: It is also a very new industry
Few locals involved: Most of the activities in the oil sector are carried out by non-locals, who are increasingly feeling crowded out. This is partly because few of the locals have the requisite training and experience with the emerging sector. It is also the case that in general, the sector, even in the best of times, directly hires very few people. Most, if any of the benefit are bound to be indirect.

Concerns
Oil is being drilled in one of the poorest regions in the country.  In the short term, at least, it is unlikely the people will directly benefit much from the resource but will have to put up with the major disruptions to their way of life especially as it relates to land appropriation and fishing and maritime security threats such as piracy. Already there is simmering tension with other trans-national corporations in the country in general and the district in particular. Also because it is a volatile source of income it has the tendency to raise expectations both for the government and for the local communities.
The regional implications
It is the same players. Most of the oil blocks in different countries in the region are owned and operated by the same companies. There is therefore a need to engage regionally. Any such approach however also has to take into cognizance the differences in language, culture and kinds of governments. Many civil society networks at the regional level already exist and that WAOW should tap into this.
Interventions/ recommendations

1. There is a need for ongoing research to better understand the linkages between oil and human security. This is perhaps best done by couching WAOW as a thinkthank
2. There is a need to strengthen the capacity of existing institutions, especially those in the affected region, rather than create new networks. A loose and flexible coalition that is nimble and can adapt is the best tool to get the work done.
3. There is an urgent need for a national dialogue which involves all the stakeholders (government, private sector, oil companies, and civil society)
4. There is an urgent need to build the capacity of the local CSOs engaged in the extractive industry in general. This will foster networking and collaboration and help build a critical mass for sustained action
5. WAOW and partners need to develop tailored advocacy tools and a comprehensive media strategy to both raise awareness and disseminate critical and timely information
6. Engaging policy makers and other relevant stakeholders, especially with regards to legislation.
7. Forge stronger partnerships with other civil society groups and local grassroot communities in the oil producing district. This will foster better understanding of alternative sources of livelihoods for the affected communities.

Local and regional partners engaged with issues of oil

• Sierra Leone Environmental Protection Agency (SLIEPA)
• Mines and Minerals Agency
• Anti-Corruption Commission
• Petroleum Directorate- Strasser King
• National Commission on Privatisation
• Njala University College
• Institute of Public Administration
• Crown Polytechnic
• Dr. Sama Mondeh
• Mano River Union Youth Parliament (MRUYP)
• Mano River Union Women’s Network (MARWOPNET)

Conclusion and next steps
A Secretariat overseen by Peacelinks should be set up to coordinate the activities both in the country and in the region.