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NEITI Unveils Body To Deepen Global EITI Implementation
The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), yesterday, inaugurated the recently re-constituted governing board and the Communications and Civil Society Steering Committee (CCSSC) towards deepening the successful implementation of global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) policies and programmes.
Speaking at the event, which doubled as the public presentation of the 2019 industry audit reports for oil, gas and mining sectors, the Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji noted that the committee was a creation of the Board of NEITI and enjoys concurrent tenure with the board which lasts until June 2025.
He added that the committee also serves as an advisory to the board on communication and civil society matters.
Orji further disclosed the civil society representative on the board, Mr Peter Egbule, is the chair of this committee.
“Other members of the committee include the representatives of the oil and gas industry unions, gender, media, Publish What You Pay (PWYP), youths, professional association, academia, and People Living with Disabilities (PLwD).
“The creation of this committee by the Board was based on its conviction that the civil society and media are an integral part of the NEITI process, particularly in dealing with specific issues of civil society engagements, dissemination of NEITI reports and advocacy on the findings and recommendations of the reports and other policy products,” he explained.
The NEITI CEO further described civil society and media as the most dependable allies to NEITI in the discharge of its statutory mandates.
He stated that the committee will serve in an advisory capacity and articulate all issues of EITI for implementation.
He noted that over the years, NEITI’s engagements with civil society have been strictly guided by the “EITI Civil Society Protocol” which requires that civil society representatives are able to engage in public debates and express opinions about the EITI process without restraint, coercion or reprisal.
“It also requires that civil society representatives are able to operate freely, communicate and cooperate with each other regarding the EITI process.
“Furthermore, it requires that civil society representatives are able to be fully, actively and effectively engaged in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the EITI process and that civil society representatives are able to access public decisions and speak freely on transparency and natural resource governance issues and ensure that the EITI contributes to public debate.
“This meeting will, therefore, acquaint members of the committee and other participants with the provisions of the EITI standards to enable you to locate and play your roles in the EITI process.
“Let me assure you that under my leadership as the Executive Secretary, NEITI will continue to work with other relevant agencies to sustain and uphold the principles of the EITI Civil Society Protocol on freedom of expression; operations; association; engagement; and access to public-decision in all its dealings, relationship and engagements with the civil society and the media.
“The tenets of the MoU which was jointly developed with the Civil Society and guides NEITI’s relationship with the third sector will be respected. Please go through the historical documents of NEITI-Civil Society Relations and build upon the legacies of the previous steering committee”, he added.
Orji said that the members of this Communications/Civil Society Steering Committee, by the inauguration, were now a major stakeholder in the NEITI process, representing the larger civil society.
He urged the members to see their selection as a call to service and opportunity to contribute their quota to the development of Nigeria, transform its oil, gas and mining sectors to generate the much-needed revenues which government needs at this time to meet the social and infrastructural needs of the citizens.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.
