NEITI Partners International Community for Transparency in Extractive Sector

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

 The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has said it is engaging the international community to strengthen its work on ensuring transparency in the extractive sector.

A statement from the organisation stated that at a recent meeting in Abuja with NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, prominent diplomatic missions in Nigeria pledged their support and readiness to strengthen NEITI’s commitment in offering technical assistance, pursuing governance reforms and deepening its involvement in Nigeria’s oil, gas, and mining sectors.

The diplomatic missions, it said, include the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Nigeria, Mr. Pieter Leenknegt, the High Commissioner of Canada, Mr. James Christoff, and the Chargé d’Affaires of the Australian High Commission, Ms. Leann Johnston.

The ambassadors explained that they had closely followed NEITI’s reports and activities in the extractive sector with keen interest. They also noted Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

The ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Nigeria, Leenknegt, particularly commended the quality and depth of NEITI’s recently released 2021 Oil, Gas, and Solid Minerals Industry Reports.

On his part, the High Commissioner of Canada, Christoff, welcomed Nigeria’s implementation of the EITI and identified the solid minerals sector as an area of special interest to Canada.

He emphasised that collaborating with a reputable agency like NEITI would provide his mission with reliable information and data to assist potential Canadian investors in making informed business decisions.

Also, the Australian High Commission Chargé d’Affaires, Johnston, welcomed Nigeria’s new policy on economic diversification and expressed confidence in NEITI to support this initiative with reliable information and data in the extractive industries.