Media must not hold back on its watchdog role –Coordinator of Guyana’s EITI Secretariat

Mar 24, 2017 News

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By Kiana Wilburg
Over the years, the media fraternity in Guyana endured various obstacles when it comes to access to information. And while this state of affairs remains unchanged in some regard, one individual is a cut above the rest.

According to the National Coordinator of the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (G-EITI), Rudy Jadoopat, the “media must not hold back on its watchdog role.”
He said that the local media will play an important role in shedding a light of transparency in the extractive sector.
Jadoopat said that unlike what has taken place before in some instances, the media will be welcomed at any time to have access to information from G-EITI . “It will have an open door policy.”
The National Coordinator insisted that if transparency is to be had in the sector then the media cannot be shut out. The media will have an important role to play in the secretariat, he added.
The Coordinator acknowledged the power of the media as well as its function and responsibility to the people. He said that such a body must be allowed to do its work to ask crucial questions and execute its functions without fear of sanction from any quarter.
He said, too, that the role of the media must be protected and preserved at all times especially as Guyana makes significant moves towards becoming a member of the EITI.
As for the EITI, Jadoopat said that it is very possible that Guyana could become a candidate country by year end.
EITI is an international body that was established in 2003 with the aim of making it harder for governments and companies to hide the truth about the proceeds garnered from the extractive industries.
The companies in the extractive sector report on what they are paying the government and the government reports separately on what it received from the companies in the sector. A report is then prepared by a Multi-Stakeholder Group. The document, among other things, will highlight whether the number data collected from the two add up or if there is an irregularity.
At a briefing held at the Cara Lodge Hotel on Wednesday, Jadoopat, explained that Guyana must be praised for intensifying its efforts in recent years, to satisfy EITI candidate sign-up requirements.
The official noted that the Government of Guyana had announced its commitment to implement the EITI Standards since May 2010. He said that Guyana and EITI even signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2012, paving the way for Guyana to be assisted with its preparation for EITI candidacy.
He added that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank and the Carter Center provided assistance to the Government and supported its efforts towards EITI candidacy. Jadoopat said it is expected that this will continue.
Jadoopat also asserted that Guyana has stepped up in achieving meaningful progress towards eligibility to apply for EITI candidacy. He said that the coalition government has since reaffirmed the country’s commitment to EITI and announced the establishment of the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
Following this was the appointment of a National Coordinator and a Deputy Coordinator on February 1, last. A Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG), which is one of the requirements of EITI, was officially launched on February 15, last.
Jadoopat explained that the MSG G-EITI comprises 12 members, nominated by Civil Society, the Extractive Industry and Government in the ratio 4:4:4. He said that there are also 12 alternates – one for each member from the respective sectors.
Additionally, the National Coordinator said that the MSG G-EITI has agreed to hold regular meetings, at least once a month. He noted that Sub- Groups have been formed to actively engage in finalizing Terms of Reference, a Confidentiality Agreement and a Work Plan.
Jadoopat also said that focus will soon be shifted to the preparation of the application for EITI candidacy. He said that the MSG hopes to submit its initial candidate application by June/July, 2017.
“Barring any unforeseen obstacles, The Cooperative Republic of Guyana can become an EITI candidate before the end of 2017. Additionally, in order to set the stage to implement the EITI Standard nationally, measures will be taken to assist the MSG in making decisions on how the EITI process should work in Guyana,” Jadoopat said.
He said that other measures will see moves being made to embark on comprehensive data and information compilation on the governance of the extractive sectors of Guyana, preparation of regular reports and issuance of recommendations for improving sector governance.
The National Coordinator said that efforts will also be geared towards the design of a comprehensive public awareness campaign to promote and explain the work of the Guyana EITI and also inform public debate and seek recommendations.

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