The Government of the Gambia Friday announced plans to market two offshore oil blocks that African Petroleum says it still legally holds, t
According to Reuters news agency, Norwegian-listed African Petroleum said in October it had launched arbitration proceedings against the Gambian government to defend its exploration rights.
Licenses for the two blocks expired in September 2016 but the oil company had been in talks with the government until earlier this year to extend the exploration period.
African Petroleum has previously said the terms of its licenses stated they remained active until the state enacted a termination procedure, which it said had not been done.
It held blocks A1 and A4 that are thought to contain up to 3 billion barrels of oil and are next to licenses in neighboring Senegal.
“We respect African Petroleum’s choice to initiate arbitration proceedings … We will exercise our rights to market our blocks, including A1 and A4,” Gambia’s minister of justice and attorney general Abubacarr Tambadou said at an event in London.
The Gambian government said it had decided not to extend the firm’s exploration rights, citing a failure by the firm to meet its commitments.
In August, prior to the start of arbitration proceedings, the government said the two blocks were open for bids.
An official delegation from Gambia was in London on Friday to drum up interest in six offshore blocks. The government said it would send out a request for interest within the next month or so, an official said during a presentation.
Gambian Oil Minister Fafa Sanyang said the terms would be negotiable but that the state oil firm would keep a minimum 10 percent stake in the blocks.
Reporting by Julia Payne; Editing by Susan Fenton and David Evans
Very well. It is more than urgent for the Justice ministry to put strong termination clause which stops at the Gambian jurisdiction for final legal recourse in all future government joint venture projects.
International Arbitrations with unscrupulous cowboy companies are killing African governments with extractions of large sums of monies dishonestly earn thru judgments and settlements.
This way briefcase businesspeople and little known callous companies will think twice before knocking our government doors.
Good Luck.
Pa Njie, I agree with you 100%. I was watching the commission this past two days and can’t believe how much this cowboy businesses have fleeced the Gambia. It seems that they set up bogus partnerships with the Government and ask Government to pay half of the cost of the venture and they would not pay a penny themselves because the supposed half they asked Gambia to contribute is in fact worth more than the actual fund needed for the said venture. They make sure that the venture will never start and then sue the Government for breach of contract and lost of possible earnings.
Thank you Buba, this tricky business reap off ending in Arbitrations court rooms has been killing African Governments for years and still counting.
All of the above because of corrupt africans servants accepting bribes prior to entering into dubious government JV projects.
We hope our New Gambia will do things differently.
Where is the money for the original sale of the license?
How much really went into governments account and how much went to private accounts?
We know that only 2 people negotiated the sale and only they benefited?
The biggest idiot and criminal in Gambia’s history is Yahya Jammeh. He is living in EQ not able to travel or go anywhere.
Next stop is Mile 2 for him.
Next hell fire.
What an ending?
If arbitration fails then it may well get to solicitors proofs and arguments. If mediation fails then it may get to the courtroom, probably in Washington. ?
My own opinion is to advertise for sale or contract what is in legal dispute could be viewed as antagonistic and damaging to the claimants business. But I am not an expert. It is only an opinion.
I think to view all prospective international partners as “plunderers” is a negative for future international investment. Gambia needs investors with idea’s and venture capital. I know of several investors who came to Gambia with business ambition and were left penniless by those who saw only cash and personal opportunity, and not benefit, industry, jobs and assets. Africa is a very difficult market. Most investment wise investors by pass Africa and have done well in Asia and South America. This is a crisis of confidence.
Mike
Just out of interest what business venture or dealings did you have with the former president and his associates. Were you an advocate. Did you deal with him at all if so in what capacity. Can you tell your story with Gambia so some of us are in tune with what is behind your views and writing.
On June 14th I was asked by The Mayor of Banjul to do what I could do to improve relations between Gambia and UK With the support of Trade Minister The Rt Hon Richard Caborn and working with Trade Partners on Victoria Street London, and the Deputy HC Bharat Joshi, I commenced introductions for British investors to the Gambian business community and government Ministers. One of the largest projects was for a groundnut and fruit juice processing and bottling plant, circa $32 million dollars.
During the 21 visits to Gambia with my staff we conducted what was seen as the largest economic and viability study of recent times. I also raised a business selling and maintaining business equipment. From July 2004, to May 2006, I returned to sponsor sports initiatives assisted by Arsene Wenger and Arsenal FC culmination in joint sponsorship of a far reaching soccer tournament centred in Gunjur. For which both Mr Wenger and myself were awarded an honorary citizenship of Gunjur.
I became increasingly disturbed by approaches from Journalists whom I met in secret, about alleged atrocities being committed by the regime. It was in early 2007 I contacted Mr Mbai of the fledgling Freedom Newspaper, and we exchanged views on the best way to make an impact on raising public awareness of what was happening. I think Mr Mbai would say I came with money for the paper at a crucial time, and stayed with the paper until its became a success and self funding. I think the editors of Jollof News and Maafanta would say something similar. I still have several streams of contact in Gambia. I think we all have a responsibility to ensuring Gambia has the democracy it deserves. Trust this is helpful With Respect.
Just question for you Mike, if I may…
Did you solicit the mafiasco after my head…?
You have right to silence; whatever you say may be use against in the Gunjur tribunal…
& the sentence will be & not less than 6 months outdoor (open prison) custody in humid Gambia…
Bajaw; I think you should summon Bournes rubiks cube. I don’t have a clue what your talking about. Please enlarge this conversation and transfer from gobble degook into colloquial English please ….lol
Err, here we go…
Bajaw is my real middle name I prefer to use online; & have many such colloquial & even coined pennames all over in our verity of preferences…
Recently similar attempts, like yours before have been made again; inferring to my cowardice…
Do you assume it’s coincidence, if not for anything…
>> and James I never met Jammeh although I did try. I never spoke to him, but I wish I had, But he did send me a message once through his Private secretary…to continue giving support to Youth and Sports. I met his Mother, and I liked her. I met one of his brothers many times…he was a soldier and very amiable.
Bajaw: again I do not know what your going on about ? I know you have courage, as demonstrated in your long and fearless campaign against Jammeh. I am not connected to any attempts to call in question your honest courage. Any suspicions you have against me in any such connection are totally unfounded. You and I had a slight misunderstanding…. That’s all….But we saw common sense and remain on the same path,,though I have to bow sometimes to your superior local knowledge. Hope this make s sense. my friend ?
We are together Mike & always…
After all, to disagree &/ agree is human & healthy for societal progress; hence we can’t afford not to step on each other’s toes for common good to humanity…
Trust me; that issue is truly behind us now…
For your understanding; I’m just visualising on some independent loneshark adventures; from some long standing allegiance owed (to you) from where else, in sarcasms; with possible connections; & nothing more…
Though, you aren’t necessarily in the know, more so involved…
Just humour is meant about all of it; know I mean…?
Apologies for detraction, folks; all work, no plays is unhealthy for us all; hence the norms, jargons & sarcasms in intervals…
Together, Mike, humanity can literally ‘move mountains’…
God bless us together; Ameen…
Together then….Amen
Why always shift the discussions from the content of the article in question to personality and character assassinations?
Until Gambians graduate from personal perception grandissment and concentrate and stick on the ideas, remarks and opinions in articles and comments therein, we will remain underdeveloped for centuries to come.
Alagi Pa Njie; please no ‘Natta sankareh’ like business: I have apologised to you & everybody else already in the ‘detection’; unlike you though who refused (the same) just that (due) to Halifa Sallah; why do you think you deserve preferential treatment…
Apologies to Natta’s relatives; it’s Alagi Girigara’s own phrases borrowed here…
Rectification please detraction – not detection; thank you
Pa>>.Not at all. Sharing concerns is human. Do you have any further comments to make about the Petroleum business or the legal status of this dispute. ?
To my mind it should have got to this stage. AF shares dropped 31% when Your government announced it’s UDI from the contract. “pride goes before a fall” especially when all hinges on a Judges decision. Its scary.
Mike, I have been following AP debacles in Senegal. Volumes are written on them in the Senegalese media, their dealings and under-dealings with Aliou Sall brother of president Mack Sall topped the news. AP is entangled in similar controversies in three other African countries.
Sorry to say but these are the few unscrupulous companies specializing in conning African leaders into shady corrupt deals that most of the time end up in Arbitrations.
“should NOT have got to this stage “
Bajaw I did not read your apology in your past post. If you did then thank you. We can then move ahead. Secondly this “Nata Sankare gay stuff’ is uncalled for. Please retract it. Respect.
By the way, I will not reply to any more personal attacks I will prefer to call it a day. I will not let my full identity known by all Gambians around the world to be dragged into mud by ghost commentators.
Sorry if I hurt anyone.
Not all Pa; no ‘gay’ impressions are implied here at all contrarily; I absolutely have no probs with individual self person decisions; never will ever be…
Rather the perpetual bickering I meant to refer to; I’m not the type to deliberately hurt anyone’s feelings with intent but rather in fallibility…
Thanking all…
God bless Gambia; Ameen…
Thank you. Let’s move ahead.
This New Gambia must bring meaningful changes with it and we are all duty bound.
Cheers!
Together we should, & surely can, Pa…
God bless Gambia; Ameen…
Pa I know very little about the matters you have raised. So I cannot speak. I was referring only to business legal issues I have faced many times. If the case fails at arbitration, it then depends on who holds the more convincing evidence and may turn on the eloquence of a highly experienced Barristers argument. I have had a two cases in the past 10 years that lasted 5 years and 4 years. Fortunately I won both because my evidence and historical memory was proved convincing. The costs for the first was £120,000 and the second £100,000 The costs in this case I would guess would run into many millions plus any settlement {if awarded } Kind Regards.