Remtrack: A Digital Tool for Public Accountability in Nigeria’s Extractive Industries.
For over five decades, Nigeria has depended heavily on oil and gas for foreign exchange and revenue. However, instead of prosperity, many communities in oil-producing regions face environmental degradation, loss of livelihoods, and a decline in living conditions.
The stark contrast between the country’s resource wealth and its socio-economic challenges underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in managing extractive industries.
A Resource Curse in the Making
Since discovering oil in 1956, Nigeria’s vast natural resources have yet to transform the country into an economic powerhouse akin to nations like Saudi Arabia or the UAE.
With the world’s tenth-largest crude oil reserves and ranking as the thirteenth-largest producer globally, Nigeria still imports refined petroleum products due to its non-functional refineries, which have consumed billions in failed maintenance efforts.
The sector’s inefficiencies extend beyond oil. Despite abundant mineral deposits, the solid minerals sector contributes less than 1% to GDP and remains plagued by artisanal mining and raw material exports, depriving the country of jobs and added value.
NEITI’s Role in Accountability
The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), established in 2004 as part of global EITI efforts, aims to ensure due process, transparency, and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s natural resource wealth. NEITI’s mandate includes publishing annual reports that highlight revenue discrepancies, crude oil losses, and governance lapses.
For instance, NEITI’s 2022-2023 reports revealed that Nigeria earned $831 billion from the oil and gas sector between 1999 and 2023 but still has $6 billion in collectible revenue. Meanwhile, the government recently borrowed $2.2 billion to fund its budget, showcasing a mismatch between potential and realized revenues.
Introducing Remtrack: A Citizen-Centric Solution
To bridge the gap between policy and public accountability, NEITI partnered with OrderPaper, a Nigerian parliamentary monitoring NGO, to develop Remtrack, an app designed to simplify and track the implementation of NEITI report recommendations. Launched in December 2019, Remtrack provides real-time, user-friendly access to information on Nigeria’s extractive sector, enabling citizens to engage with issues like oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and environmental degradation.
Challenges and Untapped Potential
Despite its potential, Remtrack’s visibility and adoption have been underwhelming. Accessibility issues, such as difficulties locating the app on Google Play, have hindered its effectiveness. Furthermore, the absence of sustained public awareness campaigns has left many Nigerians unaware of the tool’s existence.
The Need for Revitalization
As Nigeria implements the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), tools like Remtrack are crucial for monitoring host community issues, social expenditures, and compliance with global transparency standards. A revitalized Remtrack could empower citizens to hold stakeholders accountable and promote evidence-based advocacy.
With enhanced functionality, including the ability to report resource theft or environmental violations, Remtrack could become a game-changer in governance. Drawing inspiration from similar tools like the “Eye Mark” app, which tracks public projects, Remtrack can provide a digital platform for public participation in natural resource management.
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The Path Forward
For Remtrack to achieve its objectives, a comprehensive reactivation strategy is necessary. This includes increasing its accessibility, integrating broader data sources, and launching aggressive awareness campaigns. By leveraging digital governance, Nigeria can foster transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in the extractive industries.
The stakes are high. NEITI’s reports indicate a path to better resource management, but it is up to citizens, armed with tools like Remtrack, to demand accountability and drive reforms that can transform Nigeria’s natural resource wealth into genuine national development.
