Macson Obojemoinmien, in Lagos
French major TOTAL has declared a Force Majeure on the 12.8Million Metric Tonne Per Annum (12.8MMTA) Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project in Afungi, in Mozambique’s north easternmost province of Cabo Delgado.
“Considering the evolution of the security situation in the north of the Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique, TOTAL confirms the withdrawal of all Mozambique LNG project personnel from the Afungi site”, the company says in a brifing released Monday, April 26, 2021. “This situation leads TOTAL, as operator of Mozambique LNG project, to declare force majeure”, the company explains.
The Cabo Delgado province has suffered debilitating attacks by Islamic insurgents. The attacks have led to deaths of dozens of people and s displacements of thousands more.
“TOTAL expresses its solidarity with the government and people of Mozambique and wishes that the actions carried out by the government of Mozambique and its regional and international partners will enable the restoration of security and stability in Cabo Delgado province in a sustained manner”, the company says.
“TOTAL E&P Mozambique Area 1 Limitada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Total SE, operates Mozambique LNG with a 26.5% participating interest alongside ENH Rovuma Área Um, S.A. (15%), Mitsui E&P Mozambique Area1 Limited (20%), ONGC Videsh Rovuma Limited (10%), Beas Rovuma Energy Mozambique Limited (10%), BPRL Ventures Mozambique B.V. (10%), and PTTEP Mozambique Area 1 Limited (8.5%)”.
Very unfortunate developments indeed. TOTAL’s participation in Oil and Gas projects in Eastern Africa..should not be targeted by Al Shabab and ISIS terrorists. The Tanzanian Chongoleani Peninsular could be targeted as it is a major TOTAL Project with EACOP infrastructure for Tanga on Tanzania’s northernmost point on the Indian Ocean. What of Kenya’s Ports of Lamur and Mombasa? East Africans need to seriously adopt mult-itrack Energy Diplomacy to arrest the situation in 2021.
Its time that the special forces from France/USA mop up this nonsense.
There is need for consented SADC regional & international efforts to help Mozambique to restore peace and tranquility in the area. The Mozambique govt and all other key stakeholders to the LNG Project need to sensitize the people of Cabo Delgado Province on the benefits they and their government will get – Multinationals should not be deem as “Eagles stealing chicks” but partners for development