LONDON, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Advocacy Global Witness called on the Democratic Republic of Congo to ensure its oil and mining sector is transparent and policies protect the environment.
Global Witness called for more transparency from Kinshasa as the government starts revising its oil and mining laws. The advocacy group said it wanted to see oil and mining assets sold by public tender in order to prevent corruption and ensure the best possible price.
Daniel Balint-Kurti, DRC director for the organization, said there are "many" problems in DRC's oil and mining sector that could be addressed through stricter transparency codes.
He added clear rules were needed to safeguard the environment and protected sites in the country. SOCO International, an oil and gas exploration company with headquarters in London, in March said it considering some work in the Virunga National Park, a wildlife refuge listed as a World Heritage Site.
SOCO last month relocated some its staff from the DRC to neighboring Uganda to flee a rebellion launched by the March 23 Movement.
Global Witness added the European Union, winner of the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize, is considering legislation similar to a U.S. law, the Dodd-Frank Act that calls on oil and mining companies to release information related to foreign government payments.
