CSO Seeks Greater Transparency in Nigeria’s Extractive Sector

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

A Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Divine Era Development and Social Rights Initiative (DEDASRI) has called for greater transparency in the oil and gas industry as well as in mining and other extractive sectors.

Executive Director of the group, Ogechukwu Enwelum, who spoke during a consultative meeting on the “Disclose the Deal Campaign Nigeria Project “in Abuja, explained that although some progress had been made, there was need to build on the existing foundation.

In this connection, she stressed that Nigeria has made progress in implementing the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) standards by publishing annual reports that provide detailed information on payments made by companies and revenues received by the government.

“However, it’s important to note that there are still challenges in fully ensuring transparency in Nigeria’s extractive sector. There continue to be a huge corruption factor that hinders transparency in the extractive sector.

“Often, contracts are awarded in secrecy with shoddy arrangements that do not allow the government and the citizens have a good knowledge of what is going on.

“Efforts made to address issues such as incomplete data, lack of comprehensive reporting, and limited access to Information such as active contracts, contract amendments and annexes have not yielded much results.

“The government and civil society organisations continue to work towards improving transparency and accountability in the sector,” the group added.