THE Guyana Policy Forum has submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) the names of persons who will make up the interim civic component of the tri-partite mechanism for managing the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). The forum had accepted an invitation from the MNR to identify civic members for the tri-partite committee, a press statement said.
The civic component was assigned seven members, the industry sector five, and the government sector five, but these numbers have to be confirmed by the MNR.
The tri-partite committee was in the process of being formed since last November.
In the statement, the forum explained that “achieving adequate and balanced representation of the entire civic sector comprising community-based, cultural, disabilities, indigenous, professional, religious, trade unions, women, youth, [and] etcetera is a major undertaking.”

GOVERNANCE CHALLENGE
According to the forum, EITI has a unique governance challenge in assigning equal power to all three components of the tri-partite committee, thereby replacing the arrangement in which the government traditionally had the last say in multi-sectoral committees.
“In the context of Guyana, where governance mechanisms are rudimentary and polarised, success with the new formula in the EITI context opens possibilities for its wider application,” the forum posited.
“Recognising the need for care, the forum adopted a two-stage exercise:
1) Initially creating an interim component comprising individuals charged with developing democratic and financial probity criteria. 2) Following determination of the criteria and a period in which organisations desirous of serving in the tri-partite committee would have an opportunity, if needed, to get themselves in order, a substantive civic team will be formed.”
According to the forum, it is “Self-evident” that civic bodies responsible for managing a process demanding transparency from industrial and State bodies active in the extractive industries, must themselves be compliant with minimum democratic and financial standards.”
Along with the group of seven members of the civic component, five alternates will attend and have a voice, but not a vote at EITI meetings. The individuals selected were deemed collectively to possess the range of skills, qualities and experiences to contribute to establishing the EITI in Guyana.