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The Nigerian Extractive Industries
Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the promoter of transparency and
accountability in the nation’s extractive industries, said it has taken
steps to reorganise its secretariat to effectively deliver on its
mandate.

The agency came
into the negative limelight recently following reports of an internal
wrangling among some of its top officials, which appeared to have
threatened Nigeria’s quest for validation among the 31 countries that
are due for re-assessment as EITI Compliant countries by the Extractive
Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) when its validation committee
meets later this month.

The roots of the
wrangling, which earned the chairman National Stakeholders Working
Group (NSWG), Assisi Asobie, a query from the Secretary to the
Government of the Federation (SGF), Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, was traced to
reports of corruption charges against the then executive secretary,
Haruna Sa’eed, and the former director of services, Stan Rerri.

Both were accused
of “abdication of responsibility and ineffectual leadership”, as well
as “inaction” in preparations towards the 2009 Civil Society (CS)
training programme, involving a controversial disbursement of about N15
million to two hotels in Lagos and Kaduna, before it was initially
postponed, and later cancelled.

Mr. Sa’eed, as head
of the secretariat, had denied authorising the disbursement of the
money, while Mr. Rerri, who reportedly colluded with the former
accountant, Sunkanmi Adeoti, and former procurement officer, Tony
Onyekweli, to make the payment without the knowledge of the ES
(Executive Secretary), ignored all entreaties to recover the money and
pay back to the NEITI coffers.

Mr. Asobie, in his
response to the SGF’s query, said the trio have been relieved of their
positions, after the Leke Alder-led ad hoc investigative committee
constituted by the board had recommended “overhaul of the
administration of NEITI Secretariat for efficiency and effectiveness.”

Roots of the crisis

Mr. Asobie also
traced the roots of the crisis to the NSWG resolution two years ago to
engage the services of human resources consultants to examine the
structure of the NEITI Secretariat; evaluate existing staff and their
official positions; develop new terms of reference for all roles within
the secretariat; design suitable managements system that fits the
requirements of NEITI; and construct recruitment guidelines and
recruitment plan for NEITI.

Though Mr. Rerri
reportedly participated actively in the recruitment of the consultants
and supported them till they completed their assignment, he, however,
rejected the recommendation that he be relieved of his position as
director, support services, or show proof of being a chartered
accountant if his wish to be a director would come to pass.

Despite the board’s
acceptance of the consultants’ recommendations, neither Mr. Sa’eed nor
Mr. Rerri took it seriously, with the latter not only continuing to
identify himself with the unofficial designation of “director
(administration/finance)”, but also going ahead to issue a letter
appointing one Garba Saidu Yakawada as ‘head of internal audit.’

Though the board
took exceptions to the disregard to its resolution, and ordered
immediate reversal, Mr. Rerri, in his petition to President Goodluck
Jonathan, alleged massive fraud in NEITI, describing his removal as “an
attempt to “silence the whistle blower.”

But, Mr. Asobie,
who accused Mr. Rerri of allowing “unprincipled bureaucratic politics
to undermine Nigeria’s interest” by mobilising groups to lobby for the
non-validation of the country by the global EITI, said he was only
“opportunistically blowing the whistle as a protective manoeuvre.” He
also said the process to appoint a new executive secretary has
commenced.

Mr. Asobie added
that work is progressing well on the conduct of the 2006-2008 audit
report, while the final report is expected between December and January
next year, while advertisements are out for expression of interest
(EOI) for the fourth oil and gas sector audit and solid minerals sector
audit.