Patrice Talon received in audience this Wednesday, May 15 in Cotonou the general director of the Chinese company CNPC, accompanied by some colleagues. CNPC is in charge of the construction and operation of the Benin-Niger export pipeline. At the end of the hearing, the Beninese Minister of Energy announced to the press that Benin authorizes on an ad hoc and provisional basis the loading of the first ship in its waters. But be careful, authorization is not enough to start normal operation. The Chinese offer their good offices.
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With our correspondent in Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan
The Minister Beninese of Energy made two announcements. The first: Benin authorizes “ punctually and temporarily » the very first ship to load Nigerien crude on the Sémè platform. According to the minister, this authorization was granted following an express request from Nigerien customs to participate in loading operations. This is not yet the green light for the start of normal operating activities.
The Beninese minister indicates that the normal operation of the oil pipeline “ must be done within a normal framework of State-to-State relations “. Without repeating it, Benin still wants to reopen the border on the Niger side. According to our information, the first ship will be able to load tomorrow. He has 36 hours to do so.
Convocation of a meeting of the Benin-Niger inter-State committee
The second announcement is the convening by the Chinese of a meeting of the Benin-Niger inter-state committee, responsible for resolving difficulties and misunderstandings. There is no date yet. Benin accepted.
On Friday, the Chinese delegation will be in Niamey to try to obtain the agreement of the Nigerien authorities in its good offices approach.
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