Will the G8 back open books on oil, gas, mining payments?

Today at the G8 Summit, President of the European Commission, Manuel Barroso, said that one of the reasons he came to the G8 Summit was to get backing for the obligations of oil, gas and mining to report on their activities. In reaction, Oxfam spokesperson Mamadou Biteye, made the following statement:

“Today is decision-time for G8 leaders on whether they continue to let oil, gas and mining companies off the hook. They must make disclosure of these companies’ payments mandatory; country by country and project by project.

“By supporting mandatory disclosure of payments, the G8 can help developing country citizens ensure their governments are spending the funds on priorities such as education, health and agriculture, while paving the way for developing countries to get a fair deal from companies. Some EU countries are sending positive signals on this front, but the G8 can take action today.

“If the G8 are serious about growth that is good for Africa, they must commit in the communiqué to force companies open their books.  Otherwise, they are shooting their growth partners in the foot.”