ANEEJ Lauds Election Of Global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative New Boss

Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, has lauded the election of Fedrik Reinfeldt as the new chairperson of the Global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

The current occupant of the position, Clare Short will step down in February 2016.

Fedrik Reinfeldt whose election is expected to be ratified in February at the 7th Global Conference in Lima, Peru, is also expected to visit Nigeria on February 7, 2016 along with the out-going EITI Chairperson.

ANEEJ has congratulated EITI on the seamless and transparent transition process that has ushered in Fedrik Reinfeldt, and wished his time as chair of EITI a progressive one.

Yet, with his planned visit to Nigeria in February, 2016, ANEEJ seeks to highlight issues with the implementation of previous NEITI audit reports.

The organization, in a press statement signed by its Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor in Benin during the week urged President Muhammadu Buhari to use the opportunity of the visit of EITI leadership to immediately approve the constitution of a new National Stakeholders Working Group for Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

“This should facilitate the formal publication of NEITI 2013 oil, gas and solid minerals audit reports so as not to jeopardize Nigeria’s chances of being revalidated, having missed the December 31st 2015 deadline given by EITI for Nigeria to publish such report,”Ugolor has said.

In recent times, ANEEJ has been at the forefront in calling for a proper handling of NEITI audit reports.

“We expect Mr. President this time to assure Nigerians of the determination of his administration to conclusively follow up with such recommendations because this will promote the on-going reforms in the extractive sector in Nigeria.”

“At a time when Nigeria’s fortunes in the oil sector are dwindling, these expected reforms are the groundwork that Nigeria needs to bring the economy back on track,” Ugolor said.

He said EITI is currently reviewing the validation process and modalities as a result of the divergent views expressed by multi-stakeholders involved in the process.

“However, it is pertinent for the in-coming leadership of EITI to consider this review process a priority so as to harmonize the views of multi-stakeholders for EITI to achieve the desired impact’, Ugolor insisted.