NEITI Thumbs Up Govt for New Board

Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has commended the bold steps taken by the Federal Government to appoint experienced professionals from diverse backgrounds to serve as members of its National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG).

NEITI said that the painstaking decision by Government to ensure that members of the new NEITI Board were chosen from the extractive industry, civil society, industry- related labour unions, government and representatives of the six geopolitical zones is it a demonstration of the Federal government’s commitment to respect the independence of NEITI, its principles and objectives.

The composition of the new National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG) include, Mr. Ledum Mitee-Chairman, Hajia Mariam Ladi Ibrahim -Member, Dr. Kate Okparaeke -Member, Mr. Isaac Boyi - Member, Barr. Patrick Udonfang - Member, Mrs. Abiola Enitan Edenaike - Member, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmud, SAN - Member and Engr. Musa Nashumi - Member.

Others are Chairman, OPTS, (Rep. of Extractive Industry Companies) - Member, National Coordinator, Publish What You Pay, in Nigeria (Rep. of Civil Society) - Member, and President of PENGASSAN (Rep. of Labour Union)-member.

Also on the Board is Mr. Dominic Nwachukwu, MD, Ground Water Resources Ltd. (Expert in the Extractive Industry)-Member, Mr. Bassey Ekefene - Member, Group Managing Director (NNPC) - Member, and the Executive Secretary of NEITI Mrs Zainab Ahmed - member and Secretary to the Board.

Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Director, Communications at NEITI said that the organization  is also satisfied that the composition complies with the provisions of NEITI Act 2007 and the expectations of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Iniative operating in over 45 countries for which Nigeria voluntarily signed up to as a founding member since 2003.

Following the increasing public demand for transparency and accountability in the Nigeria extractive sector, especially the oil and gas industry, growing citizens agitation for reforms through the Petroleum Industry Bill, legislative probes, media and civil society advocacy over extractive revenue transparency issues, increasing citizens pressure for implementation of NEITI principles,methods and processes in Nigeria’s extractive industry, the composition of a formidable NEITI Board to give policy direction to the agency is a courageous and timely decision.

The announcement of the new Board is quite an encouraging relief at a time NEITI has put in place a 5-year development strategic plan, commissioned on-going comprehensive independent audit of the oil and gas sector for the periods 2009 to 2011 and the solid minerals industry audit for the period 2007 - 2010 expected to be completed before the end of the year and put every arrangement in place to ensure that its audits are regular with current information and data.

NEITI equally views the development as a policy boost to the implementation of its comprehensive strategic plan on remediation recently developed by the Inter-ministerial Task Team set up by the government to translate NEITI Audit Reports findings and recommendations into visible impacts.

In addition, the new Board is coming at a time NEITI’s role in the extractive sector is expected to be strengthened by the Petroleum Industry Bill, now before the National Assembly for consideration and passage into law. The coming of the new Board is also consistent with NEITI’s commitment to meet its post-compliant programmes as required by the global EITI.

A close look at the members of the new NEITI Board as announced by the Presidency conveys strong message of sincerity of purpose, confidence, trust, competence, integrity, professionalism and a team that will approach its assignments with knowledge, information, experience, and exposure built on constructive engagements.

NEITI as a major anti-corruption agency in the Nigerian Extractive Sector is encouraged by this development which has no doubt strengthened its position and influence as a model in the EITI implementation around the world.

It is therefore our considered hope that the new Board will build solidly on the enviable successes of the former Board led by Prof Assisi Asobie whose tenure ended in January this year.

While congratulating the members for the meritorious appointment, the Executive Secretary of NEITI, on behalf of management and staff wishes to assure the new Board of every cooperation in the discharge of its assignments.