NGOs urge civic oversight of energy sector
The by-laws of Azerbaijan`s State Oil Fund (SOFAR),
the body that holds proceeds from the export of oil, were not
observed while appointing members of its observation council, local
experts have claimed, quoting public unions monitoring energy
sector transparency.
The Coalition on the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which comprises over 130 NGOs, said in a statement that according to the November 27, 2008 presidential decree, SOFAR is to include seven members, with five of them representing the authorities, and one each from the National Bank of Azerbaijan and the National Academy of Sciences.
"Thus, none of these entities represent public unions, notwithstanding the fact that the SOFAR by-laws stipulate that in order to ensure overall supervision over the Fund`s activity, an observation council consisting of representatives of respective state bodies and public organizations as well as other individuals is to be formed," the statement maintained.
Further, the NGOs said it is pivotal to provide for proper civic control over the country`s considerable public funds and tremendous oil revenues, which represent the wealth of the current, as well as future generations, of Azerbaijani citizens. The Coalition thereby demanded that representatives of public organizations be included in the Observation Council.
The Council previously comprised nine members, including two lawmakers in addition to existing representatives. However, when redrafting the body, MPs were sidelined from the entity, which eliminated the parliament`s oversight over SOFAR`s operation.
The Coalition on the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which comprises over 130 NGOs, said in a statement that according to the November 27, 2008 presidential decree, SOFAR is to include seven members, with five of them representing the authorities, and one each from the National Bank of Azerbaijan and the National Academy of Sciences.
"Thus, none of these entities represent public unions, notwithstanding the fact that the SOFAR by-laws stipulate that in order to ensure overall supervision over the Fund`s activity, an observation council consisting of representatives of respective state bodies and public organizations as well as other individuals is to be formed," the statement maintained.
Further, the NGOs said it is pivotal to provide for proper civic control over the country`s considerable public funds and tremendous oil revenues, which represent the wealth of the current, as well as future generations, of Azerbaijani citizens. The Coalition thereby demanded that representatives of public organizations be included in the Observation Council.
The Council previously comprised nine members, including two lawmakers in addition to existing representatives. However, when redrafting the body, MPs were sidelined from the entity, which eliminated the parliament`s oversight over SOFAR`s operation.
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