The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a global advocate for transparency in the oil and mining sectors, expressed concern on Friday over the outdated data released by the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
EITI urged NEITI to improve the timeliness of its data, encouraging Nigerian journalists to hold both local and international transparency agencies accountable for prompt report releases.
During a press briefing in Abuja, Deputy Executive Director of EITI, Bady Balde, emphasized that NEITI’s 2021 reports were considered obsolete, pointing out the significant delay in releasing data.
Balde highlighted examples from other countries like Senegal, Zambia, and Norway, where more recent data had already been published.
Despite acknowledging challenges faced by NEITI, Balde insisted on the necessity of timely information and called for vigilance from the media.
He noted that NEITI, being the largest organization globally by staff, needed to enhance technical expertise, sharp analysis, and timely reporting.
In response, NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Ogbonnaya Orji, acknowledged local challenges contributing to delays but assured EITI of improvements.
He committed to publishing the 2022 and 2023 NEITI reports for the extractive sectors by September, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to learning from EITI’s delegation and implementing necessary changes to meet higher standards.
