Executive Director of Papua New Guinea Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PNGEITI), George Kauli has announced that PNG is currently being validated for the third time since it signed up to implement the EITI Standard in 2013.
The PNG’s EITI Validation which started on the 1st of April is expected to end in June with results expected towards the end of this year.
Mr Kauli said prior to the Validation, there has been efforts focused on closing gaps in data accessibility, strengthening Multi- Stakeholder Group functions and addressing the 2022 validation corrective actions to enhance transparency in the extractive sector.
Validation Advisor, Riley Zecca and Director for Europe Mark Burnett are in the country to meet with selected government ministers, government officials, Civil Society Organisations, representatives from companies operating in the extractive sector and representatives from state owned entities.
“EITI is a global standard for the good governance of natural resources in a country and we are here to provide a check-in, on progress. PNG has been a member of EITI for over ten years and has been progressing EITI implementation that best show the people of PNG how they are benefitting from their natural resources particularly in the mining, oil and gas sector and are improving data accessibility so everyone can understand what is expected and required from companies and government and the broader constituents as a whole. Our goal is to provide data so that citizens of a country can hold those in authority accountable to ensure that they are getting the benefits that they should receive,” said Mr Zecca.
Mr Zecca further said “while validation will provide a score and an assessment, it is not a test. We are here to assist you all in tailoring this tool to suit your needs.”
The validators met with the staff of PNGEITI National Secretariat followed by discussions with the Independent Administrator of the 2024 Report, Kuna Taberia Kiruwi (KTK) and Division of Earth Sciences from University of Papua New Guinea. The visiting Validation team is expected to conclude its mission with a debrief with Chair of MSG and Treasurer, Ian Ling-Stuckey on Friday 24th April before their departure.
Mr. Kauli explained that validation is an essential feature of the EITI implementation process intended to provide stakeholders with an impartial assessment of whether EITI implementation in a country is consistent with the provisions of the EITI Standard.
PNG underwent its first validation in 2018 where the EITI Board granted ‘meaningful progress’ in implementing the EITI Standard. PNG underwent its second Validation in 2022 where it improved to ‘moderate score’ of 70.5 percent. The EITI International Board commended PNG’s efforts in implementing several reforms to address weaknesses in government systems and in improving the level of transparency in the country’s extractive sector.
The Board also recognised PNG’s efforts in ensuring appropriate multi-stakeholder oversight of EITI implementation and aligning objectives of the EITI with national priorities. It further commended the country’s efforts to produce EITI reports in a timely manner and to effectively disseminate the findings of the Reports.
Mr. Kauli is optimistic that improved position in this year’s Validation would mean a positive image for the country, especially at this time when PNG is grey listed by the Financial Action Task Force.
