Niger: CNSP implements new reforms for transparent oil management
The National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (The CNSP) and the government of Mahaman Ali Lamine Zeine confirm extensively their intention to reinvent the relationship between the Nigerien state and its partners.
These relationships were corrupted by a scandalous governance for nearly 13 years, during which the interests of the Nigerien people were neglected and trampled upon, a situation that the CNSP and the government are working to restore.
Recently, the Nigeriens were once again provided with an example of this kind by the Minister of Petroleum, Mahamane Moustapha Barké Bako, who clarified matters with oil exploitation companies and their subcontractors.
Three essential points were on the agenda of these discussions between the Minister of Petroleum and his guests: contracts concluded in the framework of the daily activities of these companies, recruitment of personnel, a topic already discussed during Minister Barké’s visit to Kulélé, as well as management.
« The rules have changed and from now on everything must be done according to the rules », said the Minister of Petroleum. On the issue of contracts, Minister Barké informed his interlocutors that from today onwards, it is strictly forbidden for them to contract with a non-Nigerien company for an activity or works that a Nigerien company is capable of carrying out.
In other words, companies involved in Nigerien oil exploitation and management can no longer seek outside Nigerien competencies for work that Nigerien companies or groups of companies are able to execute.
The objective is to identify what needs to be terminated and entrusted to Nigerien companies. It will therefore be a swift operation aimed at restoring the rights of Nigeriens to be the first to bid for services on the national territory.
Regarding the management question, Minister Barké announced that on the decision of the CNSP president, head of state, audits will be conducted in the coming days. These audits, it is learned, will be carried out by international firms.
According to Minister Barké, the goal of the CNSP and the government is to have a clear vision of what has been done so far, to be aware of the shortcomings observed so that appropriate corrections can be made without delay.
