Shaking Things Up: NEITI Calls for Accountability in Nigeria’s Mineral Sector

Yo, check it out! Nigeria’s got mad mineral resources like coal, limestone, tin, gold, and tantalite, and they’re making moves to keep things in check. The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparent Initiative (NEITI) is calling on miners to step up and bring some accountability to the solid mineral sector. Dr Orji Ogbonaya Orji, the big boss at NEITI, dropped this bomb during a visit by the Miners Association of Nigeria in Abuja. He’s all about this meeting, saying NEITI is all in on engaging with mining companies, especially with the government’s focus on the solid minerals sector. He’s like, “We’re all about our relationship with the mining companies because you guys set the stage for how we get involved in the solid mineral industry. You determine how much cash flows in, how much the government takes, how much the companies make, and how much investment comes into the industry.” NEITI’s role, according to Dr Orji, is to shine a light on best practices in transparency and accountability, both nationally and internationally. It’s all about making sure the companies make bank in a legit way and that the government gets the cash it needs to hook up the citizens with the infrastructure they need for national development. Mr Dele Ayanleke, the head honcho at the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), gave NEITI props for keeping it real in the extractives industry. He’s also got beef with some state governments getting in the way of the sector’s growth. Ayanleke wants NEITI to back him up in pushing for better compliance from local governments with the laws and rules that govern the solid minerals sector. He’s asking NEITI to join the fight for local governments to respect the laws and rules that govern the solid mineral sector. Word on the street is that NEITI is on it, making sure everyone plays by the rules. Big ups to Kayode Oyebisi for the scoop and Oluwaseyi Ajibade for the edits!