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The Nigerian Extractive Industrories 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.