Nigeria: Auditor-General Wants More Transparency in Oil, Gas Revenue Management

The Auditor-General of the Federation, Mr. Samuel Ukura, has called for greater transparency in the management of the nation’s oil and gas resources, noting that only efficient and purposeful allocation of the resources can bring about economic growth and development in the country.
Ukura, who stated this while receiving a delegation Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, led by its Executive Secretary Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, also noted the need for closer partnership with NEITI in promoting revenue transparency in the nation’s Extractive Sector,.
The Auditor-General described the emergence of NEITI as timely, giving the fact that Nigeria’s Extractive Sector requires openness in managing its revenue flows to aid sustainable development.
According to him, "Only efficient and transparent management of resources from the extractive industries can ensure all round economic development and better quality of life for the people. NEITI has come at the right time when the nation is in need of greater transparency and accountability in revenue management from extractive ventures."
He pledged the cooperation of the Auditor-General’s Office to the implementation of NEITI objectives as enshrined in the NEITI Act of 2007.
Mr. Ukura described NEITI’s Mandate as complementary and called for information sharing, collaboration and partnership of the two organizations. He underlined the importance of the two agencies in the area of environmental audit which he observed was critical for greater revenue flows in the Extractive Sector.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of NEITI, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed explained that the visit was in line with the desire of the new Management of NEITI to seek collaboration and partnership with relevant Government Agencies in the discharge of its mandate.
Mrs. Ahmed promised to work with the Auditor-General’s Office to overcome the challenges of institutional apathy to Audit Processes in the Extractive Sector, as well as improve metering Infrastructure in the Oil and Gas Industry.
The Executive Secretary pledged the commitment of NEITI in enthroning transparency and accountability in revenue flows in the extractive sector and called for the support of all