The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, said it has been conferred with the highest discloser status by the global extractive industries watchdog, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, EITI.
The NNPC, in a statement in Abuja, stated that the recognition was conveyed to its Group Managing Director, Mr. Maikanti Baru, through a letter endorsed by Waziri Adio, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, on behalf of its parent global body.
The NNPC added that conferment was as a result of the gale of transparency and probity which had pervaded its operations under the current dispensation.
According to the NNPC, the global extractive industries transparency watchdog explained that the laurel was a milestone for Nigeria and a clear recognition and appreciation of the invaluable role of NNPC.
It quoted NEITI as saying, “We particularly note and commend the increasing collaboration and cooperation from NNPC and its subsidiaries and the new wave of reforms which your organization exemplifies by the monthly disclosure of operational and financial data of the National Oil Company’.
“We pledge to work with the NNPC to ensure that it continues to sustain its leadership as champion of transparency.”
Commenting on the development, Baru, said the global recognition was a testament to the far reaching reforms his management was carrying out in the corporation to inculcate probity and accountability in all tiers of its operational value chain.
He stated that the NNPC would sustain its adherence to transparency and accountability, saying the corporation was committed to full disclosure of its activities.
The NNPC noted that the decision to confer the award on it was reached at EITI’s Board meeting in Kiev, Ukraine, on 27 February, 2019, having adjudged Nigeria to have attained “Satisfactory Progress in implementing all EITI requirements”.
The NNPC also quoted the EITI report as saying that, “Nigeria is the first Anglophone African country and one of the seven countries within the EITI community to have attained this status so far.’’
SOURCE: independent.ng