The National Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), yesterday said it was collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals to develop a legal framework for the solid minerals sector.
NEITI Executive Secretary, Zainab Ahmed said that the framework would facilitate the enactment of a law to guide operations in the sector.
Ahmed said at the ongoing Kaduna International Trade Fair that the aim was to “improve governance and management of the sector’’.
She said the legal framework was being developed “on the basis of the findings and recommendations of the NEITI audit report in the solid minerals sector’’.
“I wish to call on state governments to cooperate with NEITI with regards to the issues of sub-national reporting and domestication of NEITI process and principles at work levels .
“This is to establish the right investment climate required for attracting the much needed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the solid mineral sector so as to halt the current over-dependence and dominance of the oil and gas sector in the Nigerian economy“ Ahmed said.
She also said that the mining sector needs to improve governance and prevents resource based conflicts.
“NEITI process reveals lapses in governance and management of the sector.
“The information and data generated by NEITI audit would enable the civil society, media, the parliament and the general public to hold government and companies to account“.
In his comment, Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Audu Bajoga appreciated the work of NEITI in enhancing transparency in governance.
He called on the federal government to continue supporting the agency with the necessary political will to meet its objectives.
The deputy governor urged NEITI to expand its work to all states and local governments in Nigeria.
“The Kaduna State Government is open and ready to work with NEITI in areas of mutual interest. We shall appreciate a deliberate effort on the part of NEITI’s board and management to open up relationship with the state.”(NAN)
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