The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Extractive Industries in Zambia

In 2009, NDI assisted the Zambia Economic Affairs and Labor, Public Accounts, and Estimates committees to develop a plan that prioritizes strategies for oversight and constituency outreach around the mining sector. It also includes proposals for reforms that were submitted to the National Constitutional Conference (NCC), and the Parliamentary Reforms and Standing Orders committees. The proposals are designed to eliminate structural and institutional constraints that prevent these committees from effectively discharging their authority to check executive branch decision making in the area of mining. For example, the committee plan proposes a revision to parliament’s standing orders to allow MPs to censure a minister for not being responsive to parliament’s requests for specific information that is critical to oversee the implementation of mining policy. Parliament began implementing the plan proposed by the committees in October 2010.

Publications

In 2009, with funding from the United States Agency for International Development, Revenue Watch Institute and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Secretariat in Oslo, Norway, NDI produced a guide for legislators worldwide to enhance their understanding and implementation of EITI. The guide, titled the EITI Guide for Legislators: How to Support and Strengthen Resource Transparency, provides practical guidance to MPs on using their representation, legislative and oversight functions to effectively consolidate EITI programs in their countries.

Contact Information

For more information about these programs, use our contact form.

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