The Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources (MMMR) yesterday, Thursday 19th January 2012 demonstrated its commitment to transparency in its fiscal and administrative governance with the official launching of the Mining Cadastre and Government Online Repository systems.
These systems will collectively provide access to business partners, local and international, members of the public, the media and all those with interest in the mines and minerals sector of the country in their search for first hand information about mining activities in the country.
The project has been made a reality due to the financial sponsorship and moral support of international partners including the European Commission, UNDP, the German International Cooperation Body (GTZ), GIZ and Revenue Development Foundation (RDF).
This, according to the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray, is a significant milestone. He described the systems as “extremely efficient for the implementation of transparency mechanisms especially in the mining sector”, adding that there is no doubt that the mining industry has attracted a lot of attention partly because of the aggressive marketing they have done as a government of the geological potentials of the country.
He disclosed that Sierra Leone stands on the threshold of major economic gains in the mining sector which is why it is taking the lead in the transparency initiative of government.
“It perhaps no longer a secret that the extractive sector is projected to contribute very significantly to government’s revenue generation this year and beyond,” the Minister asserted.
The Minister maintained that these tools of transparency are crucial to fiscal good governance, and will prove very useful for stakeholders, researchers, investors and indeed the people of Sierra Leone as the country will be among the handful of countries around the world that operates the system.
“The government decided to adopt and implement these systems simply because they support the effort of our ministry in ensuring efficiency, accuracy, clarity of administration, revenue transparency and ultimately, ensuring good governance as the public should be aware of what mining and exploration companies pay to their government,” he pointed out.
According to the minister, the system will lead to increased information, transparency, compliance and revenue generation and management by the government of Sierra Leone and the mining sector; adding that it will become a cornerstone in leveraging the potential of the minerals sector to ensure significant contribution to economic growth and development.
Mr. Abdul Ignosi Koroma, Deputy Minister in the Ministry, who doubled as chairman of the programme, noted that the programme is no doubt “another ground breaking event” coming just few weeks after the ministry received the AWOL award as the best ministry of the year 2011.
“The launching today of the Mining Cadastre and Government online Repository system to ensure transparency in our activities (in licensing, registration, mapping and payment processes of mining companies) as a ministry is an added feather to our cap which is giving credence to our AWOL Award.
Head of the European Commission Mission, Jean Pierre Reymondet-Commoy, expressed commended the government and people of Sierra Leone for launching the systems aimed at promoting transparency and good governance and ensuring compliance with the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiatives (EITI) to which the government of Sierra Leone is a signatory. He added that these systems can be considered as best practices for African states to emulate.
By Alhaji M. Kamara
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