Nigeria to chair EITI contract transparency network

Nigeria has been appointed to chair the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) global network on contract transparency.

Ogbonnaya Orji, executive secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), is to chair the global initiative on behalf of Nigeria.

The EITI global network on contract transparency is tasked with the specific responsibility of developing a global framework, standard and tools of engagement on contract disclosures in the extractive industries to guide the 54 member countries of EITI.

The appointment was announced by Mike Uzoigwe, EITI country manager for anglophone countries, at the closing ceremony of a week-long retreat for management and staff of NEITI held in Abuja.

Uzoigwe described Nigeria as the most elaborate EITI implementing country among 55 member countries through the work of NEITI.

He urged the agency to spearhead discussions on energy transition with stakeholders in the country, and affirmed the readiness of EITI to support the Nigerian government in the endeavour.

In his remark, Orji said the appointment of Nigeria to lead the global network is an acknowledgement and recognition of the enormous work and leadership that the country has shown towards EITI implementation over the years.

‘’The appointment of Nigeria to chair the EITI global network on contract transparency is in recognition of the extensive work that NEITI has done to enshrine contract disclosure as part of its rules of engagement with covered entities in Nigeria,” he said.

“I am happy to inform you that Nigeria has accepted the role.

“NEITI remains committed and is in a hurry to deepen the implementation of EITI in Nigeria, improve revenue flows from the extractive sector into government coffers and improve overall governance of the sector to attract investments, create jobs and reduce poverty in the country.”

The global network is made of 20 EITI implementing countries including Nigeria.

The countries are Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, Armenia, Cameroun, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Malawi and Guinea.

Others include Guyana, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Senegal, Sao Tome e’ Principe, Togo, Zambia and Tanzania.