DRC mining reserves have not been undervalued in Sino-Congolese contracts, says BCPSC
The communication service of the Sino-Congolese Program Coordination and Monitoring Office (BCPSC), Monday, December 6, provided an update on the alleged corrupt practices in which structures and certain Sino-Program officials are said to have become involved. Congolese, according to the Congo Hold-Up survey. The latter dwelled on the projects of the Sino-Congolese program, in particular mining, infrastructure projects and the Busanga hydroelectric power station.
The BCPSC communication service specifies that the Busanga Project does not enter into the accounts of SICOMINES.
“SICOHYDRO, BUSANGA hydroelectric power station is a private project carried out in accordance with law n ° 14/011 of June 17, 2014 relating to the electricity sector in the DRC. It is a project that supports SICOMINES which has a shortage in electric power in the project region. The Chinese partners as operators have relied on this law to invest in the Busanga project. Out of a total of 240 MW to be produced, 170 MW will be intended for Sicomines and 70 MW for households and the mining industry The Busanga Project does not enter SICOMINES ‘accounts It is not a charge for Sicomines The Busanga fund is not included in the SICOMINES profitability calculations The Project BUSANGA is financed by contributions from the Chinese Business Group, ie the Chinese shareholders of SICOMINES.The Congolese State has not invested anything in this private project, it has benefited from the support of Chinese Entrepreneurs to allow it to have a right of scrutiny over the Project. The Congolese state will not have to pay anything, “said Jhon Omombo, head of the BCPSC’s communication service.
For the BCPSC, the DRC’s mineral reserves have not been undervalued or underestimated in the Sino-Congolese contracts, as revealed in an EITI-DRC report and in Congo Hold-Up.
“Today, the BCPSC confirms that the mineral reserves have not been undervalued or underestimated. The Feasibility Study had been approved by the Congolese and Chinese Governments. The question of reserves should not arise in the measure where geological and prospecting work must continue to improve their level. The reserves presented in the Feasibility Study are not final. It should therefore be noted that no mining company has done full prospecting, “said John Omombo.
For the latter, the Congo has an interest in protecting economic cooperation with China, which has “proven itself”.
“It is in misfortune that we recognize true friends. China has always been at the side of the DRC whenever the country is in distress. Economic cooperation with China does not date from the time of the President of the Honorary Republic. Its date from the time of Lumumba, then Mobutu with impressive infrastructures including the Martyrs Stadium and the People’s Palace. It is the moment to awaken the national conscience so that the Congolese protect Sino-cooperation. The Sino-Congolese cooperation project remains a model of partnership for our country. The Chinese are a good friend for the Congolese, “he added.
And to insist:
“The DRC must have its freedom to choose the partners and the type of partnership for its development. The Chinese are actively participating in the development of the DRC by building infrastructure, it is out of the question to attack the Chinese.”
context
There have been the results of investigations which have evoked several personalities but also and above all Congolese state structures in the alleged corrupt practices. Among these pinned institutions is the Sino-Congolese Program Coordination and Monitoring Office (BCPSC). It is in this sense that the Bureau decided to communicate and react to fix the opinion on its position concerning each of the published reports including Congo Hold-Up.
Note that the Sino-Congolese Program Coordination and Monitoring Office is a public service placed under the authority of the Prime Minister, Head of Government. It monitors the execution of the Collaboration Agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Chinese Business Group on the Development of a Mining Project and an Infrastructure Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo signed on 22 April 2008. It plays the role of interface, facilitation and monitoring of the execution of agreements.
