Inconsistent inflow highlighted

PNG Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PNGEITI) reports have identified a stark contrast between export and revenue in the mineral sector, an official says.
National Secretariat deputy head Chris Tabel said reports had consistently demonstrated that mineral exports were very high compared to the money coming in.
For example, in the 2019 EITI report, the export in the sector was K33 billion.
But what was received from the mines was only K6.1 billion.
“This K6.1bil is received by the Government, provincial governments, local level governments and landowners,” he said.
“State-owned entities received about K2 billion of that K6bil.”
The EITI, however, is not an entity which at this stage can implicate entities or determine what should be received, he said.
“We were established with the purpose of reporting and our reports have found out that exports are high and revenues low,” he said.
“Of course, there will be debate, especially in terms of how much contribution is given by this sector.
“But our reports are a (collection of) reports by all players.”
In 2017, a National Executive Council directive was to ensure that all agencies implement their parts in the findings.
Meanwhile, Tabel said the PNGEITI needs more visibility at the provincial level. It wants to move right down to the project level.
“And to do so, we need the law and memorandum of understanding to be in place,” he said.
“These regional consultations to gauge stakeholder views and comments will reflect some of the powers and functions of this entity, especially with the mechanisms that will allow the implementation and reporting process to cascade down into the sub-provincial level and to enable provincial players to engage in the EITI reporting process.”