- Civil right groups in Niger are calling for a parliamentary inquiry into a multi-billion dollar oil deal between China and the West African state.
A US$ 5 billion deal which was sealed in June by China's biggest oil and gas company, is aimed at developing oil reserves in eastern region of impoverished Niger state.
However, civil rights groups have expressed concerns that people of Niger will not benefit from country's oil wealth, a trend among other mineral rich countries which are marred by insurgency of ethnic and indigenous groups demanding fair share of their countries' wealth.
A mining union in Niger accused that a deal with China was confidentially signed, saying this might result to lack of transparency which in the end will prevent people from gaining from their resources.
Rights groups have also accused Niger government of threatening to cancel a license of investors if they want to disclose details of the deal, saying most deals are struck by officials with vested interest.
Niger, which is troubled by rebels in northern uranium zone is now tapping into major oil exploration in 2009, following Chinese investment.
The three-year deal between Niger government and China would focus on development of Agadem oil block, construction of a refinery with capacity of 20,000 barrels per day near southern city of Zinder and a 2,000 kilometre pipeline to ship oil to international markets.
China's investment in Africa's oil has been under scrutiny for alleged human rights violations, with numerous human rights groups citing amongst others the Tibet issue, back at home, as well as working conditions at investment sites, especially in Sudan.
China is strongly advancing in Africa, being the biggest oil investor in Sudan and strongly present in Nigeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Chad.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español