By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja

As part of efforts to make the petroleum and solid minerals industries more transparent and accountable, the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) yesterday disclosed that it has completed work on a data centre that would provide a one-stop shop for all data related to the sectors.

A statement by the Ag. Director/Head Communications & Stakeholder Management, NEITI, Mrs. Obiageli Onuorah said the fully automated state of the art centre, “is reputed to be the first of its kind among the 57 EITI-implementing countries”.

Mrs. Onuorah explained that “apart from serving as a one-stop shop for information and data on Nigeria’s extractive sector (consisting oil, gas and solid minerals), the Centre will also serve as a reservoir for all information and data published in the various NEITI Annual Industry Reports since the first edition in 2004 till date.

“Also, the Centre will serve as a warehouse for all extractive industry data in aggregated and disaggregated formats for easy public access by multi-stakeholders, especially the civil society, the media, extractive industry companies, government agencies and the legislature.

“Besides, the Centre will also provide data information analysis, training and manpower development in data science education deployment and utilisation required to sustain a robust public knowledge and understanding of Nigeria’s extractive industry”.

NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, speaking shortly after inspecting the conclusion of work at the centre said: “Diverse groups that have come to invest enormous trust on NEITI’ capability and capacity to provide timely, credible information and data for informed decision-making, engagements and advocacy over the years see the data centre as a game changer and positive disruptive development”.

Dr Orji applauded President Tinubu’s administration for its support to ensure the completion of the project, and praised the Chairman of NEITI Board and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume and members of the Board for their leadership.