(JollofNews) – Gambia’s Information Minister Demba Ali Jawo has debunked claims made by the CEO of Africa Petroleum, Jens Pace, that they still have exploration rights on blocks A1 and A4, saying their seven-year license exceeded.
“What happened with Africa Petroleum is they had a license, and it has expired,” the government spokesperson told journalists at a press conference on Thursday.
Following a statement last week by Gambia’s presidency that blocks A1 and A4 are open for bidders, Africa Petroleum boss Jens Pace told Gambia news site Freedomnewspaper.com that the company “has not received formal notification initiating the termination process as detailed in the licenses, and therefore retains its rights under the A1 and A4 licenses.”
But Jawo said the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum has decided not to renew the license.
“As long as they have no license, I cannot imagine them operating in the country,” he emphasized.
“No license, no operation.”
Meanwhile, the presidency has made it clear that licenses for blocks A2 and A5 were acquired by FAR Ltd and Erin Energy for offshore test drilling, leaving four other remaining (A1, A3, A4 and A6) entirely open for bidding.
The tiny West African nation’s coastline has been identified by many companies as a new battleground for oil exploration. A situation that seems to have raised big hopes for the country’s future as Gambians are yet to recover from 22 years of dictatorship by the Jammeh regime.
This comedic government has all the panache of Laurel & Hardy. “It’s another fine mess you got me into Ollie” I recall Carnegie Minerals used Freedom Newspaper to air its grievances. I believe Carnegie sued and won for 36 million dollars. African Petroleum’s shares dropped 31% at the announcement. { but don’t hold me to that}
This style of public announcements on private commercial dealings is just second rate. Pride goes before a fall. So who’s the big man and who has the best lawyers ?
I hope it never comes to that and gets settled amicably behind closed doors. Not at all good for attracting the investors Gambia so desperately needs. Sorry about that.But as usually happens>> someone will gain out of all this. If only butter would spread straight from the fridge.
The Gambia goverment think back yard justice is enough here.
This goverment is responible for last year when Gambia did not forfill their obligation.
APCL had a partner ready to drill but they could not get in conntact with one person in the goverment last year 2016.
Now I sure China is handing over a lot of dollar to get the licence from APCL.
But the goverment have not sent a termination on the licence and they have to do that because it is in the contract.
Gambia goverment are very unproffesional here and have to go to court because APCL will not give licence they have paid almost 70 million dollars away, and it is not gambian law who count here it is international law.
Me as investor I should go after the goverment to with some of my partners to show the goverment that this we can not accept.
Hope people in Gambia see what China do with your country.
The fish factory polution the ocean and kill the fish and the tourist industry.
They fish shark for only cut of the finn for soup.
Now they after your turtles.
They dump fish wast from the factory in the forrest.
And they do this all over Africa because they have money to pay corrupt leaders and they dont care about the country or the people, they only want the ressources and make money.
Stand up against the Imperialist China who destroy Gambia and many other country in Africa.
That’s a very interesting view Mr Norway; Most of which we are as one.
Who did Africa Petroleum pay the license fee and any other fees to?
I hope they are brought to the commission to shed light.
Who is APCL partner in The Gambia?