Extractive Industries: Orji Underscores Civil Society’s Key Role In Promoting Good Governance
By Gift Eguavoen
Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, has underscored the vital role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in promoting transparency, accountability and good governance in Nigeria’s extractive sectors.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday at opening of the 3-day Civil Society Roundtable on the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Framework, Dr. Orji outlined NEITI’s mission within the global EITI standards and the NEITI Act 2007, stressing that the effective engagement of civil society is essential to ensure that Nigeria’s natural resource wealth is managed to benefit all citizens.
“The success of NEITI’s mandate is strongly tied to civil society’s role in translating our work into public demand for reform,” Dr. Orji said, adding that “CSOs are the essential bridge between the data NEITI provides and the action needed to secure a transparent and accountable extractive sector.”
The Roundtable was also designed to strengthen CSOs’ capacity in understanding the recently released NEITI’s 2023 oil, gas and solid minerals industry Reports.
According to Dr. Orji, this understanding is crucial for CSOs to support in simplifying the complex Reports and make the vital information accessible to communities, thereby fostering grassroots advocacy for transparency and accountability.
He added that by fully understanding the insights in the 2022 and 2023 reports, CSOs can identify critical governance, revenue, and environmental issues, and push for policy changes that align with public welfare.
The NEITI ES encouraged CSOs to focus on the significant findings from the 2022/2023 Oil and Gas Industry Reports, including the ongoing deregulation of the downstream sector, the environmental impact of industry activities, and energy transition, emphasizing that “Civil society’s understanding of the 2022/2023 report empowers them to drive targeted advocacy, making NEITI’s work actionable for the public benefit.”
Speaking on behalf of the NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG), Alternate Chair of the NSWG, Ambassador Mathew Adoli, reaffirmed the commitment of the multi-stakeholder group to guide NEITI’s implementation through strategic policy development and oversight.
Also speaking at the Roundtable, Civil Society Representative on the NEITI Board, Dr. Erisa Danladi Sarki, explained that the Civil Society Roundtable and training were convened to equip CSOs with an understanding of the 2023 EITI standards, unite civil society, and foster new strategies to enhance advocacy and engagement.
While welcoming the close partnership and collaboration among stakeholders. Dr. Erisa called for stronger cooperation moving forward.
Extractive360 reports that over 100 civil society organizations from across the country are in attendance at the ongoing 3-day civil society roundtable.
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