WIPA’s Global Accountability Conference on Oil and Gas Resolutions

The following are the resolutions that arose from the Global Accountability Conference on Oil and Gas that was organized by WAJIBU – Institute of Public Accountability (WIPA) held at Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) on the 11th to 12th April, 2016.The theme of the conference was, “Embedding Transparency and Accountability from the Beginning of Harnessing Oil and Gas Resources – Options for Governments ’

1. The Government should ensure that the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance in the management of exploration and development of oil and gas in the country are embedded right from the beginning and ensure that all stakeholders are fully engaged;

2. The Government should hasten to complete the preparation of the Oil and Gas (Local Content) Regulations which will facilitate the development of capacities, expertise and competencies of local firms and citizens to maximize their effective participation in the industry;

3. The Government should ensure that periodically it communicates and explains facts (information which is accurate and balanced) to the public regarding both risks and rewards to be accrued from the oil and gas extraction. Similarly, the rationale behind the existing oil and natural gas policies should be explained to the public;

4. The Government should ensure that institutions responsible for overseeing the operationalization of extraction of oil and gas in the country are competent and efficient enough to perform their duties. Institutions such as PURA, NEMC, OSHA, TRA, TBS, TPA and EWURA should have the required expertise, tools and capacity to perform their mandated roles;

5. The Government should develop curricula to be used by Vocational Training and Higher Learning Institutions to train Tanzanians to be able to effectively take part in the oil and gas industry either directly or indirectly;

6. The Government should ensure that it develops a mechanism that will enhance cooperation with other countries on areas of proven competence in oil and natural gas that promotes the interests of the country;

7. The Government through NEMC should develop strategies for addressing potential environmental negative impacts emanating from the exploration and development of oil and gas;

The Government should develop a comprehensive mechanism that will be used to transform the oil and gas assets into financial, physical and human capital assets that can benefit the country’s future generations; and

1. The Minister responsible for Energy and Minerals is advised to invite comments from all stakeholders on the three pieces of legislations namely, Petroleum Act, 2015, Tanzania Extractive Industries (Transparency & Accountability) Act, 2015 and Revenue Management Act, 2015 for amendment to effect the following:

I) Vest the strategic oversight on the oil and gas economy with the Parliament instead of the Cabinet;

II) Correct the apparent inconsistencies and conflicting provisions in the Act; and

III) Provide comprehensive mechanism of management of the Fund.

IV) Ensure that there is adequate provision for transparency and accountability in the Acts.

V) There resolution have been submitted to the government for its consideration vide WIPE's latter with Ref. No. AD.4/65/40 of 3rd may 2016