Gabon is back in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). The decision was taken at the Council of Ministers on June 12 and Gabonese civil society as a stakeholder is delighted. Considering this return as a step forward for the country, the members of the College representing civil society in the multi-stakeholder interest group ITIE Gabon propose 5 priority actions to accelerate the implementation of this decision which involves the renewal of Gabon’s commitments.
These relate to the adoption of a decree appointing the members of the 3 colleges to GI-EITI Gabon; the designation of the Permanent Technical secretary; the organization of the solemn ceremony of the launch of the return plan from Gabon to the EITI; responses to ITE requirements; preparation of the file, evaluation and presentation of Gabon’s candidacy.
“Civil society confirms its availability to effectively support the Gabonese government, knowing that the return of Gabon to the EITI contributes to the good governance of the extractive industries sector, to the improvement of the business climate and to more profit-sharing investors, ” members of the College representing civil society say.
The appointment of the Permanent Technical Secretary must follow an open call for applications to ensure that the best candidates are recruited. This, they say, given the high level of technicality required to operationalize the EITI at the national level, the expectations of different parties as well as past failures and good EITI practices in some African countries.
In addition, members of civil society have urged traditional financial partners and others to support the financing of the activities of the EITI Gabon Interest Group, as well as the future national program for producing data and disseminating information.
The Board of Directors of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) decided to expel Gabon in 2013 for non-compliance with the rules of the organization.
