By: Lloyd M’bwana
Malawi has joined the worldwide standard network, the Extractive International Transparency International (EITI) with expectation to maximize benefits from mining proceeds towards social-economic growth of the people.
The development comes amid the general outcry over the delay of Access to Information (ATI) bill needed to be enacted into the law which tarries with EITI procedures and requirement therefore expectations are now high for the tabling of the bill in Parliament.
EITI is a worldwide standard, principal, accountability and transparency body in the mining industry which governments enter into and adapt its outlined procedures in a bid to maximize all benefits which comes from the mining for the development of its people.
Malawi is now a candidate for EITI waiting for the complete membership which will need the country to fulfill some requirements.
Mabvuto Bamusi, Presidential Advisor on Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) broke the news of Malawi joining EITI during the Second National Alternative Mining Indaba held on February 2-3 in the capital Lilongwe which Norwegian Church AID (NCA), Action aid, Citizen For Justice (CFJ), Oxfam with funding from Tilitonse organized aiming at bringing together different players and stakeholders to discuss various issues that are affecting the Malawi mining industry especially those challenges that affect accountability and transparency.
The two day conference whose theme titled; “Making Laws Work for the People: Effective Legal and Regulatory Frameworks for Malawi’s Extractive Sector”, attracted governmental officials, Members of Parliament (MPs), Chiefs, financial institutions, investors, academia, civil society, communities and the media.
Bamusi hinted that by Malawi joining the EITI gives hope that ATI legislation will see a right of the day for its tabling in Parliament which speaks one voice with EITI on matters of accountability and transparency on public officers’ execution of powers in serving the general public with quality services.
“Since December 2015, Malawi joined the EITI which means the country is a candidate for a full membership which will follow fulfilling other requirements including passing of laws on matters of accountability and transparency.
“This is good news for Malawians as all mining investors will be mandated to disclose their full operation, proceeds, and how much revenues companies’ pay which government takes them to the general public for scrutiny unlike in the current situation. This will reduce fraud and corruption in the mining industry.
“Therefore, let me assure the civil society that all views discussed here, government will take them seriously. This is the time to make right decisions for our people living in the village. Government wants constructive ideas to move this nation forward”, urges Bamusi.
The Maravi Post later caught up with John Makina, Country Director for Oxfam Malawi who emphasized the need for the nation to have robust and comprehensive laws on extractive industry whose proceeds should directly benefit the rural people whose poverty is unimaginable while all in all government officials and investors were reaping from them.
Echoing on the same Stein Villumstad, Country Director for Norwegian Church Aid appealed for more patience amongst all players in the mining industry saying they must not down play consultation that such exercises bring outstanding remedies on mining crucial matters which will be imparted into the Mines and Minerals Bill that overseas on tense issues.
Currently, Malawi is experiencing huge demand on expression of interest on mining from foreign and local investors with expectation that mining will improve the country’s economic growth which heavily relies on tobacco. However, mining industry contributes about MK1.5 billion to the national budget representing one percent of the total fiscal year plan.
