TheCable

OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative has commended the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) on Nigeria’s emergence as one of the seven countries that have attained the highest ranking of “Satisfactory Progress” by Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a global watchdog.

In a statement, OrderPaper  said NEITI’s drive for innovation has brought about increased transparency and accountability in the country’s “hazy, complex and opaque” extractive sector.

“The impact of NEITI’s work in promoting transparency in the country’s extractive sector cannot be overemphasized,” it said.

“Apart from the mandatory annual audits of the oil and gas and solid minerals sectors, the production and dissemination of several signature publications including Policy Papers and value-for-money data analytics are essential innovations that have scaled up the level of disclosures and engagements on sector-related issues.”

The statement quoted Oke Epia, executive director of OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative, as saying: “the attainment of the rank of Satisfactory Progress for Nigeria from the latest validation exercise by the EITI speaks to the worthy gains around disclosures and notable attempts at transparency and accountability. This globally enviable feat is a credit to the Board as well as Management and Staff of NEITI led by the indefatigable Executive Secretary, Mr. Waziri Adio.”

The executive director added that the achievement is however a call on NEITI not to rest on its oars but to work even harder to maintain Nigeria’s place at the top in the implementation of the EITI standards and principles.