CSOs and media meet to devise ways of promoting transparency in the Extractive Industries

Tanzanian Civil Society and media representatives recently participated in a workshop to inform of the potential weaknesses and loopholes in the proposed amendments to the mining legislation as well as the role the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) can play in empowering different actors to hold the government to account for the management of revenues from the extractives.

The workshop, organised by the Revenue Watch Institute in collaboration with Policy Forum and the Norwegian Church Aid, was timely in the sense that not only were participants presented with analysis of the proposed changes in the current law before parliament deliberates on the proposals in April 2010, they were also familiarised with the EITI at a time soon after the appointment of Judge Mark Bomani who is beginning to oversee the process in Tanzania.

After being furnished with the context, rationale and concept of the EITI as a means of promoting transparency in the extractive industry, CSO representatives and media professionals explored ways of strengthening their engagement in the initiative so as to encourage responsible management of mineral resources in the country for the benefit of the citizens.

Similarly, from the perspective of the Tanzania Mining Act, participants discussed the changes being proposed by the government and brainstormed on the opportunities and strategies for engaging in the mining legislation and policy debate and processes.

Consequently, two groups, one on the EITI and the other on the mining legislation were formed to take up on relevant key action points agreed including engagement in a mining policy dialogue as well as popularisation of any new proposed mining bill so that the public can be better equipped to engage in the debate.

This workshop took place as part of Policy Forum’s objective to build the capacity of CSOs to understand and effectively engage in national policy processes, especially in areas where impact is most likely to be achieved. This capacity-building collaboration with Revenue Watch Institute, an organisation that promotes effective use of revenue from the extractives, also enhances the ability of Policy Forum’s members to analyse and monitor government resource revenue collection as part of their focus on public money.