Somalia’s autonomous state of Puntland has accused two foreign companies of carrying out seismic operation activities offshore Somalia, an official has said.
Puntland Petroleum and Mineral Agency (PPMA) director Isse Mohamoud Farah said in a Press Statement that the Norwegian Spectrum ASA and Chinese BGP Inc. of signing an agreement with the Federal government to carryout seismic surveying.
‘’Puntland Petroleum and Minerals Agency (PPMA) is very concerned about the illegal activities of two foreign companies conducting seismic operation activities offshore Somalia without the legal and constitutional mandate to do so. PPMA warns the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the two companies – Norway’s Spectrum ASA and China’s BGP Inc. – about the unconstitutional nature of their seismic activities, which could derail the delicate peace and ongoing federalization process in Somalia.’’
He called on the two companies to immediately withdraw from the activities.
‘’PPMA is aware that there is a sinister interest and pressure groups operating in Mogadishu and Nairobi who, in partnership with international oil companies, are currently working together and pursuing their individual, oil companies, foreign Embassies and personal interests. In addition, PPMA is aware that the interest of these partners is to use the Federal Government system to hold on to power and enrich themselves, to support particular oil companies from particular countries at the expense of efforts to rebuild the Somali nation-state,’’ he added.
Somalia’s Federal government was not available to comment on the accusations from Puntland.
The Federal government has been at odds with the administrations in Puntland and Somaliland over responsibility for administering oil and gas activity, particularly as a number of companies signed deals with regional administrations in the years when Somalia suffered an absence of central government.
Read Full Statement here
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Puntland warns Norwegian & Chinese firms carrying out Seismic Surveys offshore Somalia
Published: February 20, 2016
