Auction of Congolese oil & gas blocks: Patrick Muyaya reminds Greenpeace that DRC has rights to exploit its wealth
The Minister of Communication, Patrick Muyaya insisted on the need for the Democratic Republic of Congo to exploit its oil and gas blocks in order to allow the country to benefit from the advantages of its wealth.
During the joint briefing with the Ministry of Tourism, held on Wednesday July 20, the government spokesperson responded to the denunciations of the international environmental protection NGO, Greenpeace. Patrick Muyaya reminded this NGO that there are current oil drilling techniques that are safe for the ecosystem.
“There are current drilling technologies that make it possible to exploit oil without it destroying the ecosystem. This is what is done in several developed countries. We must not be scared by asking ourselves to remain in the situation of poverty despite our oil under the pretext of saving the world”, declared Patrick Muyaya.
The government spokesman made it clear that the Democratic Republic of Congo has the right to exploit all its wealth for the benefit of its people. Especially since the country is facing aggression from negative forces, a great mobilization of resources is needed to strengthen the Congolese army, he said.
“Today, to ensure the rise of our armed forces, we must be able to mobilize resources. Why must we forsake the possibilities of resources to give us the power to enforce our national sovereignty. Why should we hesitate to use what we have because there are NGOs that will move to say things? The Government is supposed to find solutions to the problems of the population. We are not going to be made scared,” said Patrick Muyaya.
“In letters sent to oil companies around the world, Greenpeace is warning against this ominous auction, which could take place to the detriment of biodiversity and the global climate,” said writes the organization.
Tenders for the allocation of rights to these blocks will be launched on July 28, the Congolese Minister of Hydrocarbons, Didier Budimbu, announced on Monday.
The oil blocks concerned are spread over several regions of the country: three in the coastal basin, nine in the central Cuvette, eleven in the Graben of Tanganyika and four in the Albertine Graben. The three gas blocks are located in Lake Kivu.
In a joint statement following a meeting, Ministers Ève Bazaïba for the Environment and Didier Budimbu for Hydrocarbons affirmed that the oil blocks concerned by this sale were located outside protected areas.
