By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has expressed its commitment to partner with the Abia
Government in the provision of accurate and timely data.
The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, made this known on Thursday, in Aba , after a tour of developmental projects in Aba.
The tour formed part of activities lined up for a two-day retreat which took place in the state and was organised by NEITI for its board members.
The Executive Secretary, who is also the National Coordinator of Extractive Industries Initiative implementation in Nigeria, highlighted the importance of data in strengthening governance.
Orji noted that that a collaboration between NEITI and Abia Government would help in improving transparency, and ensuring that resource revenues would be utilised effectively to improve the lives of citizens.
“In the area of collaboration, we deploy data, you cannot plan without data and we deploy data to support, to help you make informed decisions.
“We will deploy data on revenue generated that are clear to Abia, data on what Abia State should be expecting, data on what Abia should not be expecting, data on revenues that Abia needs to understand how to utilise and then data on planning that can help Abia Government strengthen its planning, project implementation and coordination,” he said.
Orji expressed deep admiration for the ongoing transformation in Abia under the present administration in the state.
He said: “The last time I visited, I wept because it had deteriorated, but what I have seen today is a remarkable turnaround, Aba is rising again.
“The last real connection between government and the city was in the era of Sam Mbakwe, through Monier Construction Company (MCC) but now, a new chapter is being written.”
Orji said that NEITI’s mandate aligns with the State Government’s rebuilding agenda.
“Our work is about ensuring revenues from oil, gas, and mining are used for development and poverty reduction.
“In Aba, the roads we’ve seen are creating access, commerce, and security.”
“The Governor has a plan, backed by data, and he’s tackling issues one by one based on economic reasoning.”
“Abia is an oil-producing state, and it’s gratifying to see extractive revenues translating into real infrastructure for the people.
“Port Harcourt Road, which we toured, stands as a clear example,” Orji said.
In a remark, the Alternate Chairman of the NEITI Board, Mr. Matthew Adoli, praised both President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Alex Otti.
Adoli said that “the Governor is performing well as the resources he receives are being visibly translated into development”.
He also said that the President’s renewed hope agenda focuses on transforming Nigeria and leading a united national.
Adoli noted that it was heartwarming to see the governor of Abia key into that vision.
The President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Ayanleke, said that the transformation recorded in Abia in just 24 months indicates that with focused leadership, Nigeria could be great again.
Ayanleke, who is a member of the NEITI Board , said that the governor’s achievements deserve recognition.
Also, the Civil Society Representative on the NEITI Board, Dr Erisa Danladi, highlighted the impact of the state government’s achievements on ordinary citizens
Danladi said: “This is people-centered governance as market women and grassroots communities are visibly benefiting.
“This is the true essence of democracy translating oil and gas revenues into public good and this is what we advocate for.”
The Representative of the Executive Chairman of Federal Island Revenue Service(FIRS) on the NEITI Board, Dr Lovett Ononuga, applauded the present administration’s developmental strides.
“I was amazed by the transformation, because we used to visit Aba from Lagos, but nothing compares to today.
“Every street we drove on was tarred, which shows that the governor is clearly passionate, patriotic, and visionary.
“The cooperation between the government and the people is commendable and FIRS is ready to partner with Abia for further progress,”Ononuga said.
