FG Inaugurates NEITI’s Task Team on Oil, Gas, and Mining Sectors.
The Federal Government has officially inaugurated the Inter-Ministerial Task Team (IMTT) of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). The inauguration took place on Monday, marking a significant step in the continued effort to ensure transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s oil, gas, and mining sectors.
The IMTT, a crucial component of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) process in Nigeria, was established following the release of NEITI’s first oil and gas report covering 1999 to 2004.
The Federal Executive Council made the decision to create this task force to systematically study NEITI’s industry reports on the oil, gas, and solid minerals sectors, as well as the Fiscal Allocation and Statutory Disbursement (FASD) report. The task force is charged with identifying key findings and making recommendations, while pinpointing the agencies responsible for implementing remedial actions.
Objectives and Responsibilities
Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary of NEITI, emphasized the task team’s role in ensuring that NEITI reports do not merely gather dust but actively contribute to the reform and productivity of Nigeria’s extractive industries.
“The objective of the task team is to ensure that NEITI’s reports are actionable and lead to deeper government oversight and reform in the oil, gas, and mining sectors,” Dr. Orji stated. “This will enhance accountability and provide the greatest good for the greatest number of Nigerians, who are the ultimate beneficiaries of the country’s natural resources.”
Dr. Orji further explained that the IMTT is tasked with mapping out strategies to track and report on the progress made towards implementing the findings and recommendations of NEITI’s reports. He noted that while the implementation of the Solid Minerals Roadmap and the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) were expected to address many issues, recent developments have underscored the ongoing relevance of the IMTT.
Significance and Support
The recent EITI validation and international mission to Nigeria highlighted the need for the IMTT and reinforced NEITI’s position on the task team’s importance. Dr. Orji noted that the mission has strengthened the resolve to oversee the implementation of NEITI’s recommendations, emphasizing that the IMTT framework is well-suited to meet governance challenges in the extractive sector.
“NEITI is convinced that the IMTT framework is better positioned to track achievements and impacts in the sector, ensuring continuous improvement and accountability,” he added.
Key Agencies Involved
The IMTT comprises representatives from several key agencies, including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL), Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission (RAMFAC), and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
Other members include representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria, Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Corporate Affairs Commission, Niger Delta Development Commission, and the Mining Cadastre Office, among others.
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Commitment to Transparency
Mr. Simon Tyungu, a director and representative of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), congratulated the team members and urged them to remain committed to transparency and excellence in their duties.
“As representatives of various agencies, we must ensure that we achieve our goals with integrity,” Tyungu said. “NEITI is an agency of transparency, and our activities are under the scrutiny of both the press and international bodies such as the EITI. We must conduct our assessments with the highest standards of accountability.”
The inauguration of the IMTT signifies a renewed commitment by the Nigerian government to enhance the management and oversight of its extractive industries, ensuring that the country’s natural resources are harnessed efficiently and transparently for the benefit of all Nigerians.
