Jonathan Assures Implementation Of NEITI Reports

President
Goodluck Jonathan, has assured Nigerians that his administration will not cover
up any misdeed revealed in the reports of audit exercises by the Nigeria
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

He gave the assurance on
Monday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while declaring open a five-day retreat for
members of the National Stakeholders Working Group of the Board of NEITI,
according to The Tide source.

The President, who was
represented by Governor Godswill Akpabio, said that Nigeria voluntarily signed
up as a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to
underscore the need to entrench good governance.

He
said that the Federal Government was poised to enthrone openness and
transparency in the management of the nation’s oil, gas and solid mineral
resources.

Jonathan
said, “We willingly initiated and submitted ourselves to public scrutiny
through several fact-finding panels and objective criticisms. I have given
necessary directives towards open and unrestricted support to NEITI to carry
out its statutory functions.

“I
see the regular conduct of NEITI audits and prompt implementation of its
recommendations as the gateway to accelerate the much needed reforms in our oil
and gas sector. NEITI findings will also generally impact on the conduct of
government business.”

He
said adherence to due process in the extractive sector would have positive
impact on other sectors of the economy, reduce wastages, corruption and
increase government’s revenue base.

The
President urged Nigerians and the international community to support NEITI to
assist the country to pursue its reform programmes to a logical conclusion.