Anti-graft institution, Transparency International, in its new report has said transparency alone in the extractives sector – oil and gas and mining – of resource-rich nations, is not sufficient to combat corruption in the industry.
According to Transparency International, it’s Accountable Mining Programme research in over twenty resource rich countries found that both transparency and disclosure measures in the licences and contracts of extractive companies are critical to combatting corruption risks in the industry.
The group in its report demonstrated measures needed to be taken by member countries of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and all other resource-rich countries, make an effective contribution to anti-corruption efforts in the extractive industry, which has been described as the world’s most corruption-prone industries.
The report shares key lessons and recommendations from the Programme’s case study countries, and advices its member countries to implement them in their fight against corruption in the sector.
Some of the recommendations Transparency International through the EITI made to governments and Multi-Stakejolder Groups (MSGs) in the extractive sectors of resource-rich countries include;
- EITI MSGs should prioritise systematic disclosure to ensure that relevant, up-to-date information needed to help prevent and detect corruption is transparent and readily available on an ongoing basis, not just reported on a one-off basis each year.
- EITI MSGs should require disclosure of political donations by extractive companies and recipients within the framework of the EITI.
- EITI MSGs should consider capacity building activities on the legal framework among implementing officials and accountability actors as a critical step towards combatting corruption in the licensing process.
- EITI MSGs should establish and resource a technical working group that may involve relevant actors from different government departments to improve government coordination (including land, environment, water resources, forestry etc.).
- EITI MSGs should map out the key elements of the anti-corruption legal framework in their country such as corruption offences, authorities responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption, the penalties and how these apply to the licensing process.
Read below further details of the EITI report:
Tia Eiti Paper by Fuaad Dodoo on Scribd
