The Extractive Industries Transparency
Initiative (EITI) is a global standard for promoting revenue transparency and
accountability in counties rich in oil, gas and mineral resources. Since its
launch in 2002 the EITI has become an established standard supported by a
number of countries, major mining companies, civil society organizations,
donors and international organizations. Globally, 37 countries are involved in
the EITI process-http://eiti.org/
In July 2011 the
Solomon Islands Government agreed to implement EITI. In January 2012 the
Solomon Islands Extractive Industries National Stakeholder Group (SIEINSG) was
formed comprising of extractive companies, government and the civil society
(including land owner groups).
The SIEINSG is the
primary body responsible to oversee and coordinate the successful and effective
implementation of the global EITI standards in the Solomon Islands. The body
will provide and establish a framework to promote collaboration and consensus building
in implementing the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. SIEINSG is
also responsible for composing the work plan. The work plan sets out the
activities that will be undertaken by the SIEINSG in implementing EITI.
The SIEINSG work plan
and budget are available at the following links:
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Budget
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Workplan
Solomon Islands EITI Update
SIEITI Release Reports on Revenue Paid by Extractive
Industries to the Government.
On Sunday 29 June 2014,
Solomon Islands became the first country in the Pacific region to release its
first reports under the global coalition of 41 countries subscribing to the
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Standard. The report
reconciles the payments made by extractive companies to Solomon Islands
Government (SIG) against those received by SIG during 2012 and 2013.
The
report was produced by an independent auditor from abroad and then endorsed by
the Solomon Islands Extractive
Industries National Stakeholder Group (SIEINSG). The Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo Prime Minister of
Solomon Isnads acknowledged the significant efforts of the SIEINSG, reporting
companies and SIG agencies to progress the EITI and deliver the report and
thanked them for their tireless efforts. “Solomon Islands faced
challenges of capacity and resources, but believes in the ideals of
transparency underpinned by the EITI which pushes it to this landmark
publication” said the Prime Minister.
The EITI reports for 2012
and 2013 are available from the following links:
SI EITI Inception Report
SIEITI 2012 Reconcilation Report
SIEITI 2013 Reconcilation Report
SIEITI Activity Report 2013 - Final
SIEITI host
Workshop for Stakeholders
Following
the successful release of the report, the SIEITI hosted a two day workshop for
the Solomon Islands Extractive Industries National Stakeholders Group (SIEINSG)
and other relevant stakeholders from July 2nd-3rd July
2014.
The
workshop was facilitated by the World Bank and aims to:
·
Identify the major
issues in the Solomon Islands extractive Industries Sector
·
Provide an overview
of the new EITI standard
·
Discuss how the EITI
can address the issues identifies in the workshops
·
Discuss objectives
for implementation of EITI
·
Discuss important of
communication and outreach for EITI and most importantly an opportunity to hear
from the SIENING and Stakeholders.
EITI Benefits to
Solomon Islands
Implementing EITI will bring important
benefits to public financial management, improve the investment climate, and
manage the potential risks of conflict in the development of extractive sector
in the country. The benefit that the report will bring to the country is it
will make public the information on revenues that companies extracting our
natural resources paid to government.
The mining industry of the Solomon Islands is
currently at an early stage of development but has the potential to become the
single largest component of GDP in the future, contributing to government
finances and foreign exchange earnings. The EITI will ensure a new and
systematic way of working together between the government, Extractive
Industries and Civil Societies to provide transparency and accountability to
Solomon Islands.