As the term of the Multi-Stakeholders Group (MSG) established under the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) comes to a close on October 31, 2024, preparations are underway for a new group to take its place.
The current MSG, appointed in 2021, held its final quarterly meeting on September 26, 2024, where outgoing Chairman Mr. Rudolph Merab, also the Managing Director of the FDA, expressed gratitude for the dedication and service of his colleagues.
Mr. Merab emphasized the importance of cooperation in forming the next MSG, which will be tasked with significant priorities, including the amendment of the LEITI Act.
According to Merab, LEITI has initiated all necessary processes to ensure a smooth transition.
He highlighted that the current MSG has played a pivotal role in advancing transparency and accountability in Liberia’s extractive sector, overseeing the production of the 13th, 14th, and 15th EITI Reports.
Notable achievements during their term include the establishment of the country’s Beneficial Ownership Regulation, the development of a policy on contract disclosure, and the creation of guidelines for nominating and replacing MSG members.
They have also secured funding for a data center and dissemination of EITI reports, and updated the MSG policy manual.
During the final meeting, a scorecard was presented highlighting the MSG’s attendance record, and each constituent institution received a certificate of appreciation for their contributions.
As LEITI looks ahead, the focus remains on reinforcing governance in Liberia’s extractive industries, ensuring that the next MSG continues the work of promoting transparency and fostering stakeholder engagement.
