Libreville, Friday November 22, 2024 (Infos Gabon) – The topic was the focus of an interview last Thursday, in Libreville, between the Gabonese Head of State and several members of the government.
President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema gave an audience on November 21 to the ministers of mines, Gilles Nembe, of Public Accounts, Charles Mba and Economy and Partnerships, Mays Mouissi.
At the heart of the discussions, was the President’s desire to integrate gold and diamond production into the state budget. According to the explanation of the Minister of Mines, this initiative aims, among other things, to strengthen the monitoring of the use of these strategic resources and to ensure that the benefits of these activities will directly benefit the numbers.
“We realized that, in recent years, gold production was not properly announced, and diamond production did not exist,” said Gilles Nembe.
And he said: “The President of the Republic asked the relevant ministries, especially Mines, the Budget, and the Economy, to study the matter in order to find effective and efficient solutions. The aim is that the results and income related to these mines will be included in the state budget.”
It should also be noted that this budget entry will allow Gabon to strengthen its public finances with additional revenue, as stated by the Minister of Budget and Public Accounts.
“Additional income will reach the state budget, which will allow us to cover more costs,” explained Charles Mba in the presence of the Minister of National Defense, Brigitte Onkanowa who also participated in this meeting with the Head of State.
Gabon, which has initiated several projects as part of its development, needs different resources to realize them.
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How can Gabon guarantee transparent and accountable reporting of gold and diamond production figures, addressing concerns about resource mismanagement and fostering public trust in the initiative?
## World Today News: Integrating Gold and Diamond Production into Gabon’s Budget
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we delve into a critical development in Gabon’s economic landscape. The Gabonese government has announced its ambitious plan to incorporate gold and diamond production directly into the state budget. Joining us today to discuss the implications of this decision are two esteemed guests:
* **[Guest 1 Name]:** An expert in Gabonese economics and resource management.
* **[Guest 2 Name]:** A representative from a civil society organization focused on transparency and accountability in the extractive sector.
**Section 1: The Rationale Behind the Decision**
**Host:** Thank you both for joining us. President Oligui Nguema’s recent meeting with key ministers highlighted the need to bring gold and diamond production under tighter state control. [Guest 1], can you shed light on the broader economic motivations behind this decision? What challenges has Gabon faced in managing these resources in the past?
**Guest 1:**
**Host:** [Guest 2], from a transparency and accountability standpoint, what are your initial thoughts on this move? Do you think it has the potential to address concerns about the illicit trade of these precious resources?
**Guest 2:**
**Section 2: Impact on Public Finances and Development**
**Host:** Minister Mba emphasizes the potential for increased revenue generation through this initiative. [Guest 1], how significant could this additional income be for Gabon’s public finances? What are the key development projects that could benefit from these funds?
**Guest 1:**
**Host:** [Guest 2], while increased revenue is welcome, there are concerns that it might come at the expense of local communities and environmental sustainability. How can the government ensure that these gains are equitably distributed and
minimise environmental impact?
**Guest 2:**
**Section 3: Ensuring Transparency and Accountability**
**Host:**
A key concern for any resource management policy is transparency. [Guest 1], what concrete steps can the government take to ensure open and accountable reporting of gold and diamond production figures?
**Guest 1:**
**Host:** [Guest 2], does your organization have any specific recommendations to the Gabonese government to ensure that this initiative benefits the people of Gabon truly and transparently?
**Guest 2:**
**Conclusion:**
**Host:** This has been a truly insightful discussion on a crucial issue facing Gabon. Thank you, [Guest 1] and [Guest 2], for sharing your valuable perspectives.
The government’s move to integrate gold and diamond production into the state budget presents both opportunities and challenges. As Gabon moves forward with this ambitious plan, ensuring transparency, accountability, and equitable benefit sharing will be paramount.
