We are on the verge of an economic renewal if we
consider the recent discovery of mineral resources in several parts of
the country.
There have been discoveries of titanium in Kwale,
oil and water in Turkana, and coal in Kitui. Kenya has joined the league
of other countries in Africa endowed with natural resources.
These discoveries should provoke us to consider
some questions: How well are the resources going to be managed? What
mechanisms are we putting in place to promote accountability and
transparency in the exploitation of these resources? Given our track
record in managing public funds, how will we assure the citizens of
accountability by properly managing the natural resources?
In Africa, abundance of natural resources,
particularly oil, has in many cases been considered a curse rather than a
blessing. One can only hope that this is not the fate that awaits
Kenya. In a way, we are lucky that there are examples of the pitfalls to
avoid.
Transparency should guide basic legal instruments
such as the Mining and Petroleum Acts. As a starting point, the
government should consider joining the Extractive Industries
Transparency Initiative (Eiti).
This is a voluntary membership of about 30
countries globally with the aim of increasing transparency and
accountability in the management of revenue from natural resources.
The Eiti standard makes it obligatory for oil,
gas, and mining companies to publish what they pay governments and the
governments to publish what they receive from these companies. Such
gestures will partly assure Kenyans that every resource extracted from
the land is accounted for.
Botswana Namibia and South Africa
We must aim to emulate countries like Botswana,
Namibia, and South Africa, who have demonstrated the benefits of
managerial accountability in the utilisation of natural resources for
the national good. Their economies are booming, their infrastructure is
highly developed, service delivery in the public sector has improved,
and the people have been lifted from an impoverished state.
The emergence of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and
South Africa (BRICS) as strong economies could be attributed to their
good management of mineral resources. Kenya should be looking for
inspiration in that direction.
The ministries of Mining and Energy and Petroleum
deserve praise for initiating the Mining Act 2013 and the Petroleum Act
2012 respectively.
The audit clauses in the draft Mining and
Petroleum Bills must prescribe a strong accessibility right for the
Auditor-General to the records and books of the entities (both public
and private) that will be involved in the exploitation of the resources.
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