Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Florine Mouano
Published on 2024-04-01 09:56:38
The Council of Ministers met on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at the Palace of the People, under the very high authority of His Excellency, Mr. Denis SASSOU N’GUESSO, President of the Republic, Head of State.
Eleven (11) items were on its agenda, namely:
– Two (2) draft laws under the Ministry of Hydrocarbons;
– Five (5) draft decrees under the Ministry of Transport, Civil Aviation and Merchant Marine;
– Two (2) draft decrees under the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technological Innovation;
– Two (2) communications, respectively from the Ministry of Forestry Economy and the Ministry of Cultural, Touristic, Artistic and Leisure Industry.
I/- Ministry of Hydrocarbons.
Invited by the President of the Republic to speak, Mr. Bruno Jean Richard ITOUA, Minister of Hydrocarbons, presented two texts to the Members of the Council of Ministers for examination; the first is a draft law approving the production sharing contract NANGA II Bis between the Republic of Congo on one hand, the National Oil Company of Congo and Dingheng Mining Cio Ltd on the other.
Located in the onshore area of the Kouilou coastal basin, the Nanga II Bis permit covers an area of approximately 784 square kilometers. In carrying out the oil operations under the KAYO permit, WING WAH EP SAU discovered hydrocarbon mineralized reservoirs with good oil indicators in the Chela, Upper Indian Point, Mengo and Djéno formations. In January 2022, Dingheng Mining expressed interest in the liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon exploitation permit known as Nanga II Bis.
After an investigation to assess the company’s capabilities to act as an operator, the authorities granted the SNPC an exploration permit for liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons known as Nanga II Bis for a duration of four years, renewable twice for three years each. The contractor is composed as follows: SNPC (holder 15%) and Dingheng Mining Co. Ltd (operator 85%).
On November 23, 2023, the Republic of Congo signed a production sharing contract Nanga II Bis with the National Oil Company of Congo and Dingheng Mining Cio. Ltd.
A minimum work program has been established for three respective periods of 4 years for the first, 3 years for the second, and 3 years for the last.
The total investment cost for exploration work is estimated at $100 million. Minister ITOUA then explained the economic and fiscal parameters of the production sharing contract Nanga II Bis to the Members of the Council of Ministers.
In addition to the signing bonus paid to the State, the contractor agrees to carry out the following projects: payment of a contribution of $500,000, half for infrastructure development in the Cuvette Basin, within 90 days from the publication of the law approving the production sharing contract; realization of public interest social projects for each operating permit resulting from the Nanga II Bis exploration permit, according to a program to be determined between Congo and the contractor.
After examination and discussion, the Council of Ministers approved the draft law approving the production sharing contract NANGA II Bis between the Republic of Congo on the one hand, the National Oil Company of Congo and Dingheng Mining Cio Ltd on the other. It will be forwarded to Parliament for examination and adoption.
Continuing his statement, Minister ITOUA presented to the Council a draft law approving the production sharing contract Nanga IV. Located onshore with an area of 108.39 square kilometers and divided into two blocks, the Nanga IV liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon exploration permit was awarded to SNPC, after Dingheng expressed interest in this exploration permit granted for an initial duration of four years renewable. The contractor group is composed as follows: SNPC (holder 15%) and Dingheng Mining Co. Ltd (operator 85%).
The total investment cost for exploration work is estimated at $100 million. Minister ITOUA then explained the economic and fiscal parameters of the production sharing contract Nanga IV to the Members of the Council of Ministers.
In addition to the signing bonus paid to the State, the contractor agrees to carry out the following projects: payment of a contribution of $400,000, half for infrastructure development in the Cuvette Basin, within 90 days from the publication of the law approving the production sharing contract; realization of public interest social projects for each operating permit resulting from the Nanga IV exploration permit, according to a program to be determined between Congo and the contractor. After examination and discussion, the Council of Ministers approved the draft law approving the production sharing contract NANGA IV between the Republic of Congo on the one hand, the National Oil Company of Congo and Dingheng Mining Cio Ltd. on the other. It will be forwarded to Parliament for examination and adoption.
II/- Ministry of Transport, Civil Aviation and Merchant Marine.
Invited by the President of the Republic to speak, Mr. Honoré SAYI, Minister of Transport, Civil Aviation and Merchant Marine, presented five (5) draft texts to the Council of Ministers for examination. The first of these is a draft decree approving the national civil aviation facilitation program. This program was developed in accordance with the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s national air transport facilitation program model. Its aim is to help member states, including Congo, meet standard 8.17 of the convention on international civil aviation, transposed into community law in the CEMAC civil aviation code. The program aims to ensure the fluidity of people and goods in airports and airfields, while respecting security, safety, and health constraints.
After examination and discussion, the Council of Ministers adopted the draft decree approving the national civil aviation facilitation program.
The second text presented is a draft decree identifying the authorities competent in air transport facilitation matters. Air transport facilitation, recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization, requires the coordination of various government services to ensure the fluidity of people and goods at airports; it also aims to ensure the state’s visibility internationally, particularly regarding passport issuance and withdrawal, passenger profiling, and health control, while respecting public freedoms and human rights. Air transport facilitation therefore requires the identification of national competent authorities to meet international requirements, non-compliance with which could harm our compatriots traveling abroad; this is the subject of the decree submitted to the Council.
After examination and discussion, the Council of Ministers adopted the draft decree identifying the authorities competent in air transport facilitation.
Continuing his statement, Minister SAYI submitted to the Council a draft decree on exemptions from security measures in civil aviation. Developed in accordance with article 4 of law n°007-90 of August 30, 1990 setting out the rules applicable to aviation security, in response to recommendations from the International Civil Aviation Organization’s audit of Congo’s aviation safety oversight system conducted in November 2016.
The text takes into account the evolving threat and establishes exemption practices accepted by the international aviation community, provided they are frameworked and concern only a limited number of individuals and goods. The draft decree therefore lists the individuals and goods exempted from certain airport formalities. After examination and discussion, the Council of Ministers adopted the draft decree concerning exemptions from security measures in civil aviation.
Minister SAYI then presented a draft decree establishing the accreditation requirements for air medical transport. In accordance with a decision of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) of January 16, 2012 establishing the criteria for issuing and maintaining accreditation by member states, the project submitted to the examination of the Council aims to regulate the profession of medical transport using all modes of transport in the Congo.
It should be noted that medical transport accreditation can only be granted by the health minister if the applicants have previously obtained approval from the transport minister, who must certify that they are technically capable of safely carrying out the intended activity. After examination and discussion, the Council of Ministers adopted the decree establishing the accreditation requirements for air medical transport.
Finally, Minister SAYI presented a final text, namely a draft decree on the rules for facilitating and assisting persons with disabilities during air travel. This project aims to comply with the provisions of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation of 1944 regarding air transport of persons with disabilities. These texts recommend that states ensure that persons with disabilities receive special assistance guaranteeing them the services usually offered to the public, while respecting human dignity. The transport of persons with disabilities must be provided under conditions where the obligations of airlines, airports, and travel organizers in terms of assistance are formally detailed and established.
After examination and discussion, the Council of Ministers adopted the draft decree regarding the rules for facilitating and assisting persons with disabilities during air travel.
III/- Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technological Innovation.
Invited by the Head of State to speak, Professor EMMANUEL, born Delphine Edith ADOUKI, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technological Innovation, submitted two draft decrees to the council members. The first text is a draft decree approving the statutes of the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education.
Provided for in article 7 of law n°87-2022 of December 30, 2022 establishing the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, the adoption of a draft decree approving its statutes will organize and optimize its functioning. The agency for quality assurance in higher education is intended to contribute to improving the performance and quality of the higher education system and public and private higher education institutions.
After examination and discussion, the Council of Ministers adopted the draft decree approving the statutes of the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education.
Continuing his statement, Minister EMMANUEL submitted to the Council a draft decree reorganizing the national commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The project under review amends decree n°2000-417 of December 30, 2000 establishing the Congolese national commission for UNESCO.
Developed in accordance with UNESCO’s general assembly recommendations, the project aims to address the shortcomings of the Congolese national commission for UNESCO in order to expand its skills, strengthen its capacities, ensure the visibility and effectiveness of UNESCO’s action in Congo.
After examination and discussion, the Council of Ministers adopted the draft decree reorganizing the national commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
IV/- Communications.
Finally, the Council of Ministers heard two communications. The first communication was related to the preparations for the first international conference on afforestation and reforestation (CIAR 1). Speaking on this matter, Mrs. Rosalie MATONDO, Minister of Forestry Economy, informed the Council of Ministers of the conference scheduled from July 2 to 5, 2024, at the Kintélé International Conference Center.
Under the high patronage of H.E. Denis SASSOU N’GUESSO, President of the Republic, it will allow for an exchange between the Head of State and his invited counterparts. The conference will also be attended by ministers, representatives of states, sub-regional political and economic organizations, technical and financial partners and donors, the global scientific community, as well as international forest, climate, and biodiversity organizations.
The expected results of the conference include the adoption of a global strategy for afforestation and reforestation, the adoption and publication of the Global Declaration on afforestation and reforestation, as well as the inclusion of the African and Global Decade of Afforestation in the United Nations’ agenda, and the designation of the body to monitor the implementation of the conference’s recommendations.
The Council of Ministers was also informed of the establishment of the national commission for organizing the event by the Prime Minister, Head of Government. The Council members strongly expressed their hope that the ongoing preparations will lead to the submission of the conclusions of the future Kintélé conference to the United Nations General Assembly, scheduled for September 2024.
The second communication, presented by Mrs. Marie-France Lydie Hélène PONGAULT, Minister of Cultural Industry, Tourism, Arts, and Leisure, was about Congo’s participation in the ITB Berlin Trade Fair and the Paris International Tourism Fair. The country’s participation in these two events marks its return to the international tourism market after a ten-year absence. Minister PONGAULT attended the ITB Berlin Fair from 5 to 7 March 2024 and the Paris International Tourism Fair from 14 to 17 March 2024.
The ITB Fair is the world’s leading event in terms of reputation, while the Paris Fair marks the country’s return to the largest Francophone tourism showcase. In addition to contacts made with professionals and political authorities from Germany and France, the objective of these participations was to promote the “Destination Congo”, in order to revitalize tourism, the 4th pillar of the National Development Plan (PND 2022-2026).
The Council noted with satisfaction the awards received by the country at these fairs, namely the International Tourism Gold Medal by the International Tourism Federation, as well as the significant attendance at our two booths by visitors. With no other items on the agenda, the President of the Republic closed the meeting and adjourned the session. The Council of Ministers meeting, which began at 10:00, ended at 12:00.
Done in Brazzaville, March 28, 2024.
Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson,
Thierry Lézin Moungalla.
Read the original article(French) on Journal de Brazza
