Civil groups ask Nigerians to make NEITI election issue

Civil society groups have suggested that issues bothering on extractives resources should be put in the front burner of the 2011 elections, since extractives account for more than 90 percent the country’s national income.

Making the suggestion yesterday in Benin City at a town hall meeting on Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and 2011 elections, a leader of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CILAC), Innocent Adjenuhure, called for strategies that would help ensure that politicians, political parties and the electorate regard Transparency Initiative as critical election issue that must be addressed by them as a necessity.

Mr. Adjenuhure also advocated that political parties and candidates for elective positions be invited to address the electorate at town hall meetings on their understanding of what NEITI is, and their plans towards ensuring that government ensure full implementation of the initiative.

Besides, he tasked civil society organisations on education of the citizens on what NEITI entails, and the need to demand from contestants in all elections their plans for NEITI if elected into office.

Earlier in her welcome address, National Co-coordinator of “Publish What You Pay,” Nwandichi Faith announced that Nigeria was yet to comply with the implementation of NEITI, whereas five African countries have been validated so far, and are now compliant.

“Nigeria is still undergoing validation and has been given a six months extension which will expire by April 2011. So Nigeria is tagged “close to compliant” country in the NEITI process,” she said.

Ms. Nwandichi listed the benefits of NEITI to include the strengthening of accountability and good governance, promotion of greater economic and political stability and improved investment climate by providing a clear signal to investors and international financial institutions that the government is committed to greater transparency.

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Jethro Ibileke