Guyana officially submits EITI application

DPI, GUYANA, Friday, August 18, 2017

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, with the support of the multi-stakeholder group (MSG) officially submitted Guyana’s application for membership to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) on Friday. The EITI is a global standard for the good governance of oil, gas and mineral resources.

The application was presented to Dr. Francisco Paris, Regional Director of EITI via Skype in a simple but significant ceremony in the Ministry’s boardroom, Brickdam, Georgetown.

“The EITI process is the underlying or undergirding principle in resources of a state which belongs to the people, and therefore the incomes earned must be accounted for and spent in accordance with both the people’s wishes,” Minister Trotman noted

The Minister added that being a member of this organisation will ensure that management of the extractive sectors “is done in a manner that is transparent”.

The application process began in 2010 when the previous administration gave its commitment to join the international standard. In 2012, an MOU was signed between Guyana and the EITI for assistance in the preparation of its candidacy. However over the past two years the process was fast tracked by the coalition government.

Guyana has officially completed the sign-up step which involved: government engagement, company engagement, civil society engagement, the establishment of a multi-stakeholder group, and agreement on an EITI work plan.

The Multi Stakeholder Group (MSG) of the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative(GYEITI) which is a tripartite of government, industry and civil society conducted outreaches targeting communities that are traditionally engaged in the extractive industries.  These were held in Bartica, Region Seven, Corriverton, Region Six, Linden, Region 1o Charity, Region Two and in Georgetown Region Four.

Minister Trotman said the MSG working together is “a good personification of how Article 13 of our Constitution can work-that is, inclusivity in decision making that you can bring three sides with varying views at odds sometime together.”

He also recognised and thanked the Regional Director of EITI, and all stakeholders involved for their efforts in guiding the GYEITI Secretariat to this stage. Guyana received assistance from the World Bank, Trinidad and Tobago’s EITI, and the Carter Center which was awarded a grant from the USA through the local embassy to facilitate the process.

The next step following this submission is a revision of the application by the EITI Board to ascertain whether the sign-up steps have been properly completed. Guyana is expecting that its request will be accepted at the EITI Conference scheduled for October.

An implementing country’s first EITI Report must be published within 18 months from the date the country was admitted as an EITI candidate. There are 52 countries with membership that adhere to the standard. Minister Trotman noted that once accepted Guyana will become the 53rd country.

Also present at the handing over ceremony were the National Coordinator of the GYEITI Secretariat, Dr. Rudy Jadoopat, Guyana and civil society representative on the MSG, EITI board Mike McCormack, MSG Industry Representative Ryan Ramjit, ExxonMobil Country’s Manager Rod Henson and other officials.

 

By: Zanneel Williams