The organization known as Publish What You Pay (PWYP) has held its 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) to discuss issue that border on opaque management, abuse of office and privileges to outright abandonment of coalition, which has resulted in ill functional secretariat, incompetent and disloyal staff, poor alliance building, poor credibility and access to funding.
The 2-day AGM which started on Thursday in Abuja is also targeted at creating an enviable platform to increase awareness of participants on NEITI audit reports and the roles of CSOs in the remediation process.
Patrick Chiekwe, the Acting National Coordinator speaking at the meeting said, “I strongly believe that this AGM will provide a sound trajectory to resolve these daunting issues confronting the coalition. One of these problems is the leadership gap, which will be bridged before the end of this meeting. It is believed that the moment we institute a forthright, purposeful, accountable and focused leader, constraints will lessen to improve support for broad based work.
“The AGM is creating an enviable platform to increase awareness of participants on NEITI audit reports and the roles of CSOs in the remediation process; improve understanding of nexus between contract transparency and the quality of life in Nigeria; and strengthen capacities on beneficial ownership register in Nigeria and strategies for implementation.
“It is anticipated that these presentations will frankly trigger robust and effectual intellectual development towards the attainment of participatory and transparent governance of the extractive sector in Nigeria and global energy accountability and stability.”
He also said that participation in the meeting carries an important responsibility adding that the quality of individual inputs will determine the nature of results that will be attained; he therefore, implored all participants to engage productively to achieve a stronger, healthy and vibrant coalition.
Also speaking at the Annual General Meeting, the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Alhaji Garba Abubakar expressed his joy being associated with PWYP.
He further said that the CAC is committed to deepen the practice of transparency, accountability and good governance
“The Corporate Affairs Commission which is the lead government agency implementing beneficial ownership information disclosure under the Open Government Partnership National Action Plan (NAP II) is committed to deepen the practice of transparency, accountability and good governance in Nigeria.
“The signing into Law of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 by Mr. President in August 2020 has provided the legal framework for Beneficial Ownership disclosure in Nigeria which is otherwise referred to as Persons with Significant Control (PSC).
“The Corporate Affairs Commission has commenced the collection of data on Persons with Significant Control since January, 2021. This information which is accessed on our portal at no cost in line with global requirements on disclosure go a long way to provide the necessary information about the persons behind registered entities that are or in the process of extracting natural resources in our environment and other sundry matters related thereto,” he said.
He said the achievements so far recorded on the journey couldn’t have been possible without the collective support and collaboration of all stakeholders including PWYP.
“It is important to also acknowledge the support received from OGP, NEITI, CISLAC, EU-ACT, World Bank, EITI to mention a few. This collaboration will be sustained in the task ahead to make our society free from corruption and entrench good governance in our society.
“We therefore wish to congratulate PWYP on this milestone and also encourage other non-governmental organization to sustain their efforts in making our society a better place. I wish all of us a wonderful and fruitful deliberations,” Abubakar said
