EITI Chairman Peter Eigen recently visited Central Africa to discuss implementation of the EITI. In a ten day trip to the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon he met with authorities as well as representatives from civil society and industry.
"I am tremendously encouraged with the progress of the implementation of EITI in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo and Cameroon," Peter Eigen said on the eve of his visit to Central Africa. "In these times of record-breaking commodity prices, it is more important than ever that we through good governance ensure that the windfalls benefit the citizens of Africa."
In Kinshasa, Eigen spoke at the conference that launches the EITI implementation phase in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Eigen met President Joseph Kabila who also addressed the conference. The event aimed to bring together key stakeholders, take stock of progress made thus far, and discuss further steps.
"The DRC and the Republic of Congo have both shown considerable progress in meeting the four Sign-up indicators," says Eigen. These four Sign-up indicators must be met in order for a country to become an EITI Candidate Country. The progress of these two countries is to be reviewed at the Board Meeting in 21-22 February this year. Cameroon is since the Board Meeting in September 2007 an EITI Candidate Country.
