News
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.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
