Guyana trains journalists to boost extractive transparency amid oil boom

As Guyana’s oil revenues continue to surge past the billion-dollar mark, the Ministry of Natural Resources is intensifying efforts to place transparency at the heart of resource management by training local journalists in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) framework.

On monday, the Ministry hosted a virtual workshop for media practitioners, led by EITI experts Dr. Priya Marajh and Mr. Sam Tokpah. The training focused on the seven core requirements of EITI, including governance, disclosure of contracts, production data, revenue collection, and beneficial ownership.

While the workshop is part of Guyana’s ongoing implementation of EITI standards, it comes at a critical moment as the country faces pressure to strengthen monitoring of oil production volumes, revenue flows, and contract transparency. Questions raised by journalists during the session highlighted growing public concern over the country’s verification capacity.

“To achieve proper verification, an entire mechanism needs to be in place, comprising the right equipment, rules, knowledge, and staff,” Dr. Marajh explained, noting that Guyana has already introduced independent measures but still faces systemic gaps.

Guyana first became an EITI member in 2017, but progress has been mixed. The global body recently flagged weaknesses in data timeliness and gaps in contract disclosures. Civil society groups have also urged the government to accelerate publication of full oil and mining contracts, warning that delays undermine public trust.

Yesterday’s training reflects a strategic push to improve compliance with international standards while equipping local media to hold the sector accountable. Analysts note that empowering journalists with technical knowledge could strengthen watchdog reporting at a time when public debate on petroleum wealth use is intensifying.

With ExxonMobil and its partners rapidly expanding production, Guyana is expected to pump more than 1.3 million barrels per day by 2027. By equipping the press to scrutinize data and decisions, the Ministry signals that the EITI process is not just about compliance, but about building credibility at home and abroad.