WORKSHOP D- INEQUITABLE RESOURCE SHARING
Discussion leader Hon. S.K. Devamany, MLA, (left) and Moderator Dr Mark Robinson, MP (right)
ecological issues, while legislation should address corruption issues. Nigeria, being the 10th largest oil producer in the world and largest in sub-Saharan Africa, is a “rich nation with poor citizens”, according to Mr Tambuwal. This was the result of inequitable resource distribution and corruption.
Nigeria, therefore, had adopted a legislative agenda that sought to reform its parliamentary process, identify legislative priorities and develop a programme of action to achieve its developmental goals. These include: enhancing the quality and effectiveness of parliamentary oversight; developing an inclusive national budgeting initiative; developing a “gender-responsive” budget; and amending the
constitution to give effect to the new budgeting process.
In concluding his input, he expressed the view that legislators have the power to make their countries better for its citizens. However, the capacity of legislators need to be continually enhanced to ensure that they remained effective.
Managing Extractive industries Senator David Smith stated that the key driver of natural resource extraction is economic and social development, and that the surge in demand for raw materials over the past decade, has been driven partly by the growth of emerging economies and the development of new technologies.
Approximately half of the
world’s natural resources were located in the poorest countries. Yet despite the growth of the resource extractive sector and its associated opportunities for supporting socio- economic growth, many governments in resource-rich developing countries have failed to transform resource wealth into inclusive economic development. The main reasons nations fail to benefit from resource wealth, according to Senator Smith, included a lack of transparency; inadequate tax administration and collection; and widespread corruption. Senator Smith stated that Parliamentarians and governments play an invaluable role in ensuring the equitable benefit sharing of resource wealth and mentioned a variety of measures the Canadian government
had implemented to improve the governance of extractive industries abroad and ensure the equitable distribution of resource wealth within Canada. These measures include: amending legislation that attempts to defy corruption and bribery committed by Canadians abroad; and being a leading supporter of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. At home, partnerships between mining firms and aboriginal groups serve to manage the impacts of mining and allowed for the sharing of benefits around resource development. Senator Smith concluded by stating that good governance and management of the extractive resource sector helps maintain peace and stability while improving prosperity for all.
The Parliamentarian | 2013: Issue Four | 267
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124