Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), emphasized the vital role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the growth and governance of Nigeria’s extractive industries. Speaking at a Civil Society Roundtable on the EITI Framework in Abuja, he described CSOs as essential watchdogs of democracy, whose effectiveness hinges on being fully equipped to engage in industry-specific activities.
Orji stated that CSOs serve as intermediaries between the public and the government, fostering transparency and accountability that ultimately lead to improvements in public welfare. He urged participants to leverage NEITI’s reports to identify gaps in governance, revenue management, and environmental protection.
“CSOs’ issue-based advocacy is crucial for pushing legislative reforms that tackle these challenges, ensuring that data from NEITI’s reports are utilized to stimulate public debate and policy reform,” he explained. He highlighted that CSOs provide vital platforms for dialogue among government officials, the private sector, and community groups, ensuring that concerns about environmental and social issues affecting communities are integrated into national resource management policies.
Orji also referenced the 2022/2023 Oil and Gas Industry Report, calling on CSOs to focus their advocacy efforts on its significant findings. He pointed out that the report revealed approximately 7.68 million barrels of crude oil were stolen or lost in 2023, marking a 79% decrease from the previous year. He encouraged CSOs to monitor government strategies to combat oil theft and advocate for stronger environmental protections.
Furthermore, the report indicated outstanding collectable revenues due to the Federal Government totaling over $6.071 billion and ₦66.4 billion, underscoring the need for CSOs to advocate for improved revenue collection mechanisms to ensure the full benefits of Nigeria’s oil resources reach the nation and its citizens.
