ALIOUM Alhadji Hamadou
Channel: Mainsah Gilbert
Date: 2022-12-02

ORAL QUESTION addressed to THE MINISTER OF STATE, MINES, INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT  by Senator ALIOUM Alhadji Hamadou

   Mr Minister,
In 2011, following research carried out by the Chinese company YANG CHANG Logone Development Holding, with whom Cameroon had signed a production sharing contract in 2009 for the ONSHORE research of the Zina-Makary block, drilling confirmed the discovery of an oilfield in the sedimentary basin of the Logone Birni (Far North Cameroon).

After the first phase of this exploration work which cost no less than 5 Billion, the seismic campaign was launched in March 2012.
 
Unfortunately, in 2014, Boko Haram started war and the Chinese left, abandoning the site.
 
In 2016, a statement from the National Hydrocarbons Corporation (SNH) announced that activities in the sedimentary basin of the Logone Birni had been suspended because of Boko Haram attacks in that zone.
           
 On 7 October 2018, in Maroua, the Head of State addressing the people of the Far North said and I quote “Everything points to the fact that your sub-soil is rich in minerals and oil. It will be convenient to set a new pace for its prospecting and subsequent exploitation” end of quote.
           
Mr Minister, we shall enter 2023 in a few days and at the ‘SNH’, it’s radio silence.
          
 Is this contract with the Chinese still valid Mr Minister? 
    
When will these suspended works resume now that the war is behind us?
            
The 2020-2030 National Development Strategy provides for the exhaustive exploration of new ONSHORE basins in the North by 2030.
           
Can this deadline be respected with regard to the Logone Birni?
            
Mr Minister, can the sub-soil’s mineral potential in the Far North allow this Region to benefit from a big mining project?

           Thank you.


                                                         Senator ALIUOM Alhadji Hamadou