DRC Ministry of Hydrocarbons Defends Tender Process as Transparent, Impartial, and Competitive
An investigation by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and Reuters revealed on Thursday (November 2) that the bidding for oil and gas blocks in the Democratic Republic of Congo was tainted by apparent preferential treatment and secret deals.
According to this investigation consulted by ACTUALITE.CD, a gas block was awarded to the Canadian company Alfajiri Energy Corporate even though it does not meet the prerequisites of the law regarding Hydrocarbons.
In reaction, the Congolese government, through the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, believes that this investigation of people of “bad will” has the sole objective of manipulating the Congolese population and making them believe that this process launched by the Head of State Félix Tshisekedi is not transparent.
“The Minister of Hydrocarbons would like to reassure, moreover, that the call for tenders for oil and gas blocks launched by the Head of State in July 2022 is one of the most transparent processes.
When it was launched, Minister Budimbu clearly stated that “this call for tenders is intended to be a public, transparent, impartial and competitive process which will allow the DRC to establish win-win partnerships in the mutual interest of investors and the Congolese population.” “, we read in a press release from the Ministry of Hydrocarbons made public on Thursday, November 2, 2023.
Didier Budimbu’s office recalls that President Félix Tshisekedi had indicated that the launch of the call for tenders is proof of his desire to put potential at the service of the country’s development. “We must no longer be content with celebrating the potential of the DRC but it is up to us to exploit it,” he recalled.
“The government is committed to developing its oil and gas resources and has no intention of giving in to the enemies of the Republic who think they can discredit the process with publications that are as false as they are erroneous.
The ministry is studying what legal action can be taken against this defamatory press,” adds the press release.
The process of launching a call for tenders followed the resolutions of the 48th and 62nd meetings of the Council of Ministers respectively on April 8 and July 15, 2022.
Through this commercial offer, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo wanted to exercise its right of sovereignty to use its oil wealth for the development of its country, the Congolese authorities indicated.
Currently estimated at 6%, the contribution of the hydrocarbon sector could reach 40% of the national budget in a context where oil and gas products have soared across the world.
