By Lake Zone Watch Writer
The Initiative of Good Governance and Transparency in Tanzania (IGT) and the Uganda-based BASIS International Limited have teamed up in the launch of a network platform to fight corruption in strategic minerals.
The launch ceremony was held yesterday in Dodoma and attended by various participants from the government, non-governmental organisations, small-scale miners and experts in the mining industry.
IGT is an NGO which, among other things, promotes transparency, accountability and good governance, and spearheads the fight against misuse of natural resources.
BASIS International Limited is a technology and strategy consulting firm using technology, sustainability by design model, and a whole-of-government approach to build sustainable innovations that bridge the gap between citizens, businesses civil societies, development partners, NGOs, and government agencies to increase citizens participation in the affairs of national governance, among others.
Opening a one-day meeting, IGT director Edwin Soko said the launch of the network platform is aimed at availing an opportunity to stakeholders engaged in strategic minerals to use modern technology in reporting incidents of corruption.
He said strategic minerals such as earth rare, nickel and copper are in demand all over the world and, therefore, have ignited illegal trade, leading to loss of government revenue.
“The network platform will be an alternative way of reporting incidents of corruption in strategic minerals and helping government collect its revenue for carrying out development programmes,” Soko explained.
On his part, BASIS International representative, Don Binyima Bwesigye, said the formation of the network platform is part of the implementation of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) declaration of crafting a uniform system of fighting corruption in the trade of strategic minerals.
‘’This an opportunity for ICGLR member states to protect their natural resources, including the strategic minerals,” he laid emphasis.
The network platform is currently being implemented in four ICGLR member countries of DR Congo, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia under the financing of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
BASISI International ICT expert, Michael Mayaka, said the network platform will be a good opportunity for communication at national and regional levels on what is taking place in the field of strategic minerals.