The Federal Government has inaugurated the governing board of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), to enhance the smooth running of its administration.
Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who performed the inauguration on Wednesday in Abuja, congratulated the members, saying that their appointment as NEITI board members was based on individual merits and track records.
“Your appointment and inauguration, which is taking place here today, is another practical demonstration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of our economic resources and especially, given the mandate and objectives of the Nigeria’s NEITI, ” Mustapha said.
Mustapha explained that the present administration was passionate about the NEITI process because it served two key agendas of the administration.
He added that the extractive industry was very strategic to Nigeria’s economy, hence central to the administration’s economic agenda.
According to Mustapha, the transparency and accountability in the management of nation’s resources is equally central to the anti-corruption agenda of Nigeria.
He said it was therefore, irrevocably committed to the implementation of NEITI in the oil, gas, and mining industries.
The SGF, therefore, tasked NEITI board members to ensure that the agency continued to preserve the virtues for the benefit of the present and for future generations of Nigeria.
“In order to achieve this, I must remind you that your assignment is non-partisan because NEITT itself is non-political and has maintained dignified neutrality all through almost two decades of existence.
“It is also necessary for me to stress that your appointment is a part-time one. You are therefore, advised to conduct yourselves in accordance with this requirement, ” he said.
Responding, Mr Olusegun Adekunle, retired Permanent Secretary, office of the SGF, thanked President Muhammad Buhari for considering them worthy for the appointment.
He said his appointment along side with other board members was another opportunity to serve Nigeria in another capacity assuring that they would not betray the confidence reposed in them.
