Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has called on stakeholders in Nigeria’s extractive industry to embrace transparency and adapt to the evolving global energy landscape to ensure sustainable growth and accountability.
Governor Otti made the appeal on Wednesday while declaring open a two-day National Stakeholders’ Retreat and Board Meeting of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), held in Umuahia, the state capital. Themed “Impacts of Energy Transition on Nigeria’s Economy,” the retreat brought together key players in the oil, gas, and solid minerals sectors.
Delivering his keynote speech titled “Prosperity Through Transparency,” Otti stressed the need for Nigeria to align its extractive policies with global energy trends while avoiding the errors of the past. He urged NEITI to establish systems that promote national interest by ensuring industrial accountability and accurate reporting.
“NEITI would do well to pay close attention to the evolution of this new ecosystem in mineral exploration. It must set up systems that are pro-Nigeria to avoid repeating the costly mistakes of the past,” the governor said.
Otti emphasized the importance of stakeholders adapting to the “unfolding dynamics of old and new energy,” noting that the shift to low and non-carbon energy sources presents new opportunities for Nigeria’s economic development.
Highlighting Abia’s proactive steps in renewable energy, the governor said his administration has installed thousands of solar-powered streetlights across the state, resulting in significant energy cost savings and improved public safety. He added that Abia is actively partnering with federal agencies to develop its vast natural resource deposits into revenue-generating assets.
Governor Otti also revealed the establishment of APTAN Energy Limited, a joint venture between the Abia State Government, the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), and private investors. He noted that hundreds of Abia youths are currently being trained to manage the emerging energy infrastructure.
Commending NEITI for its commitment to transparency in the extractive sector, Otti pledged his support to the federal government’s efforts in delivering democratic dividends.
In his remarks, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group, Dr. George Akume, described the retreat as a vital platform for reform. He said the federal government is committed to a just, inclusive, and community-focused energy transition process.
Akume lauded Governor Otti’s development strides, noting that the federal government is closely monitoring Abia’s infrastructure renewal, governance reforms, and social service delivery.
Earlier, NEITI Executive Secretary, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, said the retreat’s theme reflects the urgent need for innovation in Nigeria’s energy management. He disclosed that NEITI has commissioned a detailed study on the energy transition and expressed confidence that the retreat would yield actionable recommendations.
Governor Otti was accompanied to the event by senior members of his administration.
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