The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) has expressed concern over the delay in publishing audit reports by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

The global body responsible for promoting the open and accountable management of oil, gas, and mineral resources stated that the data are not promptly released.

Bady Balde, the Deputy Executive Director of EITI, voiced these concerns during a briefing after engaging with NEITI, various agencies, ministries in the sector, and lawmakers.

He highlighted that the most recent 2021 reports from NEITI were outdated, stating, “One of the discussions we had with Dr Orji and the senior management team is the fact that the data here in Nigeria is quite old by the time it comes out.

The latest data covers 2021 and was published in September 2023. As members of the media, I assume that is far from satisfactory because you want to cover present and relevant issues.”

Balde noted that Senegal already had 2022 data, emphasizing, “When you were producing 2021 data, they had already published 2022 data, and they are getting 2023 data. I can tell you that by June, more than half of the required data will be out in the public domain.”

He urged NEITI to ensure that its data were more timely and also advised journalists reporting on the sector to keep both local and international transparency agencies on their toes.

Meanwhile, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya, the Executive Secretary of NEITI, announced that the 2022 and 2023 audit reports for the oil, gas, and mining sectors would be ready in September of this year.

He attributed the delay in releasing reports to some local challenges but assured that these concerns had been addressed.

“By September this year, 2022 and 2023 reports will be published, and we will take it up from there. We had that challenge in the past. The 2022 and 2023 reports are ongoing now and will be published by September.

We don’t run a perfect institution, and their visit has actually brought out areas that we need to move and move very fast. I do assure them that by their next visit, all the issues will have been laid to rest, and we will set very high new standards,” he asserted. (Nigerian Tribune)

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