LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change has committed to ensure transparency and accountability in the mining sector with the aim of boosting mining activities in the country.
This follows the committee’s engagement with Perekezi ASM Consultants on issues of transparency, accountability, and corruption risk assessment in the mining sector.
In an interview with Maravipost on Thursday, Chairperson for the committee, Welani Chilenga, , said that the amended Mines and Minerals Act of 2020 is yet to be fully implemented due to ongoing development of regulations, which has also impacted mining processes.
Chilenga urged consultants to continue engaging with parliament as the committee is committed to provide oversight on licensing and contracts in the mining sector to prevent corruption.
In his remarks, Chikomeni Manda, Managing Partner of Perekezi ASM Consultants, commented that the corruption risk assessment in the mining sector has identified potential corruption risks related to licensing and contracts.
Manda said the process aims at combat transnational corruption enhance transparency, accountability and empower citizens within the mining sector
He however expressed optimism that proper coordination and engagement among stakeholders, including parliamentarians and civil society, can help address corruption cases affecting licensing and contracts in the mining sector.
“The assessment is inline with global observations that recognize corruption in mining approval processesas a wide spread issue regardless of a county’s economic status or political content,”, said perekezi