In Bangui, queues have lengthened again in recent weeks in front of gas stations. The reason is the closure of Tamoil RCA branches, which still publicly display their old name, TotalEnergies. It has been a little over two months since the French multinational sold its activities in the country to TransAfricaMarket Oil, Tamoil therefore, a subsidiary of Rochefort International, an investment bank based in Paris and London. But as soon as he arrives, the buyer is asked for large sums of money by the authorities.
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The Ministry of Energy announced on Friday the suspension of customs operations, that is to say supply, from the former Total Centrafrique, until payment of its tax debts. A little more than 2 billion CFA francs (3.2 million euros) were not paid last May and August.
“ This is minimal compared to the State’s slate with the company “, is surprised by a former executive of the company who emphasizes that Tamoil took over ” assets, but above all liabilities » during the buyout. Under Total, tax debts were simply subtracted from what the authorities owed to the group.
The government also claims that Tamoil did not “ not introduced ” and so, “ not received » the necessary approval, and asks him for more than one billion FCFA on the transfer of business assets, and 200 million fine for “ illegal exploitation without approval for the importation and distribution of petroleum products » (1.8 million euros in total).
A ” simple need for administrative compliance »
Representatives of Total and Rochefort were nevertheless received by President Touadera last April, and “ obtained approval » according to a witness. “ Discussions continue » assured the authorities. It’s a ” simple need for administrative compliance » reassures a person who follows the file.
But “perhaps the managers of Rochefort International had not anticipated the business climate? », asks a specialist in the sector. In the meantime, contacts have been made by the government to be supplied with fuel by Neptune Oil, a Cameroonian company subsidiary of a Swiss broker named Optima Energy.
Rochefort International did not respond to our requests on Monday.