The Congo N’est Pas à Vendre (CNPAV) coalition is sounding the alarm about the opacity surrounding the process of selecting operators for oil blocks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a press conference held this Friday, she denounces the attitude of the Minister of Hydrocarbons Didier Budimbu, who does not respect transparency in the award and negotiation procedures.
The CNPAV notes four irregularities, in particular the allocation of oil blocks to companies without technical and financial experience as well as the early renewal of offshore or onshore oil agreements in violation of the law in force.
For the coalition, these opaque practices can cause significant losses for the Congolese people. The DRC has already been ordered to pay more than 6417 million USD for procedural errors in the past.
Faced with this situation, the CNPAV calls on the government to promote transparency and accountability in all decisions related to the exploitation of the country’s natural resources. According to them, the oil sector requires in-depth studies before deciding whether or not to effectively exploit these resources, in a context of global controversy over the impact of fossil fuels.
This position comes as the DRC is faced with a debt of 857 million dollars due to the complacent granting of oil blocks in the past, without obtaining the certification of oil reserves.
The coalition’s message is clear: no exploitation of natural resources without transparency and in-depth studies. The DRC must do everything possible to avoid the mistakes of the past and guarantee a better future for its people