Fresh concern over contract secrecy in Nigeria's oil, gas sector

The secrecy shrouding terms and conditions of contracts in Nigeria’s extractive sector has, once again raised concern for stakeholders, especially as the country fights corruption.

Although a signatory to the London Anticorruption Summit, and the Open Government Partnership, as well as Extractive Transparency Initiative, over 20 civil society organisations insisted that the current practice in which contracts entered into by government are negotiated and held in secrecy negates the globally-accepted practice.

In a communiqué obtained by The Guardian, stakeholders decried the lack of transparency and accountability, noting that the sector was still exposed to corruption, unfavourable contracts, and revenue losses to the nation.

They group called for the development, adoption, and implementation of a framework for contract transparency in the extractive sector in Nigeria.

The group included Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Publish What You Pay Nigeria, OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative, Policy Alert, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Global Rights, Koyenum Immallah Foundation, African Network Environment and Economic Justice and Sustainable Environment & Peace Initiative.

Others were Community Outreach For Development and welfare Advocacy (CODWA), Institutional and Sustainable Development Foundation, and Initiative for participation Accountability and Inclusive Development.