...the Niger government and...AREVA started negotiations to renew the contract over uranium extraction..."While millions of homes in France are lit up by Niger’s uranium, Nigerien citizens remain in the dark and in poverty. 75% of citizens live on less than $2 a day and the average life expectancy is 53. The people of Niger have simply not benefited from their natural resources," said Ali Idrissa, coordinator of PWYP Niger/ROTAB, a network that campaigns for transparency in Niger’s extractive sector...In 2010 AREVA...extracted uranium to the value of more than 3.5 billion euros. The share for Niger...was 459 million euros, only 13% of the total value. The report also highlights that AREVA profits from a wide range of tax exemptions..."How can we lift ourselves out of poverty when we get such a poor deal for our resources?" asks Idrissa..."These renegotiations are an opportunity for Niger to finally get a good deal for its resources for the benefit of all its citizens" said Marinke van Riet, International Director of Publish What You Pay..."We believe AREVA and the Nigerien government must respect their commitments towards EITI and the Nigerien constitution and pursue a fully transparent process..." continued Ali Idrissa.