NEITI, CSOs Brainstorm on EITI Framework, Pledge Promotion of Transparency

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) yesterday held a roundtable session on the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) framework, promising to ensure transparency in the oil, gas and mining sectors.

In a keynote speech by the Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, at the the Civil Society Roundtable, he highlighted the role of the organisation in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance within Nigeria’s extractive sectors.

He reiterated that NEITI’s work is guided by both the global EITI standards and the NEITI Act of 2007, explaining that these frameworks emphasise the crucial role of civil society in ensuring that Nigeria’s wealth from natural resources is managed to benefit all citizens.

“For this process to succeed, civil society must be fully equipped to play its institutional and industry-specific roles hence the Civil Society Roundtable was put together to achieve this purpose.

“ CSOs are the watchdogs of democracy and governance. In the context of NEITI, they serve as intermediaries between the public and government, ensuring that transparency and accountability lead to tangible policy changes and public welfare improvements,” he added.

He listed the key roles of civil society in NEITI’s process as public awareness and dissemination; advocacy for policy reform; fostering multi-stakeholder dialogue, among others.

According to him, CSOs play a crucial role in creating forums that include government, private sector, and community groups, ensuring that the concerns of impacted communities, particularly regarding environmental and social issues, are considered in national resource management policies.

On ongoing NEITI projects, he announced the near completion of the NEITI Data Centre, which will serve as a one-stop shop for extractive sector information, housing all industry reports from 1999-2004 onwards.

 The centre, Orji said, will facilitate public access to data and analysis, enhancing NEITI’s compliance with the EITI Open Data Protocol.

Also speaking, the CSO representative on the NEITI board, Dr Erisa Danladi, said that the gathering was to share insights, experiences, and forward-thinking strategies in pursuit of transparency, accountability, and sustainable development in Nigeria’s extractive industries.

“NEITI has been steadfast in its mission to create a transparent and accountable management system for our natural resources. Today’s round table brings together leaders, experts, and key players to review and assess our journey thus far, tackle emerging challenges, and outline collaborative approaches to enhance Nigeria’s resource governance.

“Let us keep in mind the importance of partnerships in advancing our shared goals. This forum is designed to encourage open dialogue, innovative thinking, and actionable steps that align with NEITI’s vision of a Nigeria where extractive resources benefit all citizens,” she stated.