Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has called on stakeholders in Nigeria’s extractive industry to pay close attention to the evolving global energy landscape and prioritize transparency and accountability in mineral exploration.
Governor Otti made the call in Umuahia while declaring open a two-day National Stakeholders’ Retreat and Board Meeting of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), themed “Impacts of Energy Transition on Nigeria’s Economy”.
Delivering his speech titled “Prosperity Through Transparency,” the Governor emphasized the need for NEITI to design systems that are “pro-Nigeria” and aimed at preventing a repeat of the sector’s historical pitfalls.
“NEITI would do well to pay close attention to the evolution of this new ecosystem with respect to the business of exploration of mineral resources.
“It should set up systems that are pro-Nigeria in terms of reporting and industrial accountability to avoid a repeat of the costly mistakes of the past”, Gov Otti said.
He urged stakeholders to engage with both the old and emerging energy realities in order to develop operational frameworks that eliminate sharp practices and promote efficiency in the sector.
“Whatever happens, the best path for us will be to embrace the new opportunities that are bound to come with the transition to low and non-carbon energy sources”, he added.
Highlighting Abia State’s strides in energy innovation, Governor Otti noted the installation of thousands of solar-powered streetlights across the state, aimed at enhancing security and cutting energy costs.
“This has brought about massive savings, improved service delivery, and offered the state insight into developing a more holistic energy policy”, he said.
The Governor disclosed that the State is currently partnering with Federal Agencies to explore and develop its natural resource deposits into revenue-generating assets.
He also revealed the creation of APTAN Energy Limited, a joint venture between the Abia State Government, the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), and Private Investors, as part of his administration’s energy infrastructure initiative adding that hundreds of young Abians, are being trained to drive the new energy sector.
Reaffirming his commitment to collaboration with the Federal Government, Governor Otti praised NEITI’s reform initiatives and commended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr. George Akume, for upholding the agency’s ideals.
In his Keynote address, Dr. Akume, who doubles as Chairman of NEITI’s National Stakeholders’ Working Group, said the retreat provides a critical platform for stakeholders to review ongoing reforms amid global energy shifts.
“The Federal Government is taking deliberate steps to ensure that Nigeria’s energy transition is just, inclusive, and beneficial to all Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots”, Akume said.
He lauded Governor Otti’s developmental strides, describing his administration as “transformative and people-oriented”.
“We at the federal level have followed with keen interest the broad and coordinated steps his administration is taking to rebuild infrastructure, strengthen governance, improve social services, and enhance security”, Dr. Akume stated.
In his address earlier, NEITI Executive Secretary and CEO, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, who described the retreat’s theme as timely and relevant, disclosed that NEITI had commissioned a comprehensive study on energy transition, which has already yielded valuable insights.
Dr. Orji while thanking the Abia State Government for hosting the event, expressed confidence that the retreat would produce actionable guidelines and urged participants to engage actively in the discussions.
