Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Florine Mouano
Published on 2024-03-21 15:08:31
The Council of Ministers met on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at the Palais du Peuple, under the very high authority of His Excellency Mr. Denis SASSOU N’GUESSO, President of the Republic, Head of State.
Twelve (12) items were on the agenda, including:
– One (1) bill under the Ministry of Hydrocarbons;
– Four (4) draft decrees under the Ministry of Civil Service, Labor, and Social Security;
– Four (4) draft decrees under the Ministry of Construction, Urbanism, and Housing;
– One (1) draft decree under the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulics;
– One (1) draft decree under the Ministry of Budget, Public Accounts, and Public Portfolio;
– Appointments under the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Crafts.
I/- Ministry of Hydrocarbons:
The Minister of hydrocarbons, Mr. Bruno Jean Richard ITOUA, presented a project of law for the approval of the production sharing contract TILAPIA II between the Republic of Congo and the national oil company of Congo, Olive Energy E&P and DMT Overhood.
Located about 50 km from Pointe-Noire, the Tilapia permit has most of its surface at sea. Granted in 2005 for 10 years, the permit was extended for 5 years in 2015. The SONAREP was responsible for maintaining production from July 2020 to March 2023, date of award of the liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons exploitation permit, called “Tilapia”, for a duration of 20 years to a contractor group consisting of: the National Oil Company of Congo (holder with 15%); OLIVE Energy E&P (operator with 60%); and DWT Overhood (associate with 25%).
On November 23, 2023, a production sharing contract called Tilapia II was signed by the same parties with the Republic of Congo.
The permit is operated to consolidate the production of existing wells, to launch a development campaign of 11 wells and to build a 13 km pipeline between Tilapia and the Pointe Indienne field in order to transport crude oil to CORAF. The total investment cost of the Tilapia II development project is estimated at 173.5 million dollars.
The Minister ITOUA explained to the Council of Ministers the economic and fiscal parameters of the production sharing contract.
In addition to the signature bonus, the contractor undertakes to carry out social projects focused on education, health, water well drilling, sanitation work and supporting young Congolese people in creating their own job-creating businesses, up to $200,000 per year.
After examination and discussion, the Council of Ministers approved the bill approving the production sharing contract TILAPIA II between the Republic of Congo and the national oil company of Congo and the companies OLIVE Energy E&P and DMT Overhood.
It will be transmitted to Parliament for examination and adoption.
II/- Ministry of Civil Service, Labor, and Social Security:
The Minister of State, Minister of Civil Service, Labor, and Social Security, Mr. Firmin AYESSA, presented four draft texts, including a draft decree setting out the terms of payment of social security contributions to the universal health insurance fund (CAMU).
The text establishes provisions concerning the payment of contributions by employers, employees, students, vulnerable persons, self-employed workers, and liberal professions. The project requires the payment of contributions to be accompanied by a nominative declaration of contributions 10 days before they are due.
Contributions to the Universal Health Insurance Fund are made by automatic bank transfer, by check, or by electronic transfer, subject to a penalty of 3% of the amount due in case of late payment.
After examination and discussion, the Council of Ministers adopted the draft decree setting out the terms of payment of social security contributions to the universal health insurance fund (CAMU).
Other draft decrees adopted by the Council of Ministers under this Ministry including the procedures for affiliation and registration of social security insured persons to the universal health insurance scheme, as well as the rates and amounts of contribution for each category of insured persons.
III/- Ministry of Construction, Urbanism, and Housing:
The Minister of Construction, Urbanism, and Housing, Mr. Josué Rodrigue NGOUONIMBA, presented four projects of decree concerning the organization and operation of the computerized single window on building permits, determining the content of the technical file for the building permit application, the procedure for obtaining the conformity certificate, and the procedure for obtaining the demolition permit.
After examination and discussion, the Council of Ministers adopted these decrees regarding the computerized single window on building permits and other related procedures.
IV/- Ministry of Energy and Hydraulics:
The Minister of hydrocarbons, Mr. Bruno Jean Richard ITOUA, presented a decree for the approval of the concession agreement for the operation of the Liouesso hydroelectric power plant and the agreement for the public service mission of the production, transportation, distribution, and commercialization of electric energy.
After examination and discussion, the Council of Ministers adopted the decree approving the concession agreement for the operation of the Liouesso hydroelectric power plant.
V/- Ministry of Budget, Public Accounts, and Public Portfolio:
The Minister of Budget, Public Accounts, and Public Portfolio, Mr. Ludovic NGATSE, submitted a decree for the appointment of program managers within the ministries, in line with the transition to program-based budgeting.
After examination and discussion, the Council of Ministers adopted the decree fixing the attributions and appointment modalities of the program managers at the ministerial level.
Finally, the Council of Ministers made appointments under the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Crafts for various positions.
The meeting of the Council of Ministers, which began at 10:00 am, ended at 12:45 pm.
Done in Brazzaville, on March 20, 2024
Minister of Communication and Media,
Government Spokesperson,
Thierry Lézin MOUNGALLA.
Read the original article(French) on Journal de Brazza
