Kinshasa, July 28th, 2022 (CPA) – The President of the Republic, Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, promised the construction in DRC of one or more refineries, a guarantee of energy independence, during the launch ceremony calls for tenders on 27 oil and 3 gas blocks which he chaired on Thursday at « Kemesha » space in Gombe municipality in Kinshasa.
The Head of State then reassured investment opportunities in the exploitation of oil and gas in DRC, in this word of the launch of the first phase of the allocation of hydrocarbon rights by these calls for tenders.
This activity, organized by the Ministry in charge of Hydrocarbons, is the materialization of Law No 15/012 of August 1st, 2015 on the general hydrocarbons regime and Decree No 16 / of April 19th, 2016 on Hydrocarbons Regulations, in their Articles 35 and 47, on the one hand, and 66 to 82, on the other. These stipulate that the Democratic Republic of Congo, through the Minister of Hydrocarbons, organizes calls for tenders on oil and gas blocks, with a view to the allocation of hydrocarbon rights.
Petroleum resources and development support
He also spoke of the need for all Congolese, « to pull themselves together, to follow in the footsteps of other countries in the world, including their neighbours, while respecting the environmental standards in force », while promising that studies and plans of management will have to be approved by the ministry for the environment, as for this.
« The exploitation of our oil resources should allow us to support our development efforts », said President Félix Tshisekedi, adding that « it was therefore time for us to pull ourselves together to do like other countries – including our neighbours – in oil production, while respecting the environmental standards in force ».
Studies and management plans will have to be approved by the Ministry of the Environment, he added.
The President of the Republic concluded his remarks by expressing the wish that nationals position themselves as suppliers and partners of this emerging industry.
For his part, the Minister in charge of Hydrocarbons, Didier Budimbu Ntubuanga, circumscribed the legal and historical framework of this operation as well as the expected results, before listing the various blocks concerned, scattered throughout the national territory.
Contribution to job creation
Didier Mudimbu, indicated that « these calls for tenders will above all allow DRC not only to develop its oil and gas industry but above all to contribute to the socio-economic development of the Congolese populations, through its impact in terms of creating jobs, the supply of electricity to improve the living conditions of many households ».
In addition, the Minister in charge of Hyrdarbures reassured that his ministry will ensure that each of the selected companies can have a clear and efficient policy of corporate social responsibility, in order to be able to contribute to the development of local communities on the one hand , to support the current development program at the base of the 145 territories driven by the Head of State Felix Tshisekedi on the other hand.
The signing of notices of expression of interest by Minister Didier Budimbu closed this ceremony, which followed with a visit to the stands by the President of the Republic.
Several politico-administrative authorities and personalities from the business world were present at this ceremony, including the Presidents of the National Assembly and the Senate, the Prime Minister, the Minister in charge of Budget, that of Transport, communication channels and opening up, and that of Communication and Media.
The president of FEC, the managers of the oil companies, the dean of the diplomatic corps and other entrepreneurs interested in this auction were also present at the ceremony, it is reported.
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