The director of Petroleum and mineral agency Dr.Isse Dholawa...

The director of Petroleum and mineral agency Dr.Isse Dholawa released a press statement on recent reports published by the media, on Monday.

This week Garowe online a website owned by the President Farole’s son, reported a conflict between Austrailan company Range Resources and the Canadian African Oil Corp, both companies have as partners Production Sharing Agreements with the Puntland Government.

In his statement Dr.Dholawa said that his agency is still continuing to asses the past and ongoing oil exploration activities in the region. He dismissed recent stories published by Garowe Online;

“…..The Agency refutes recent media reports that at the meetings Peter Landau (Head of Range Resources) said that African Oil Corp, has “violated the Production Sharing Agreements”. The Agency categorically states that if and when any company “breaches” or “violates” any part of the agreement it is the responsibility of the Agency and its legal advisers to bring this breach to the attention directly and privately of the concerned parties including in the first instance the Government of Puntland. Any information suggesting that “a company breached or violated its legal obligations” should be viewed with caution unless specifically stated by the Agency…” said the director’s statement.

The Director promised more transparency in his statement.

“….In accordance with the current Government’s policy of transparency and openness in Governance I confirm the Agency have had a meeting with Range and planning to have another meeting, in the near future, with AOC in order to review past operations and discuss potential future operations in Puntland.
This is part of the Agency’s efforts to confirm whether or not that both companies have fulfilled their legal and fiscal obligations within the PSA. The outcome of this review will be released formally by the Government when it is complete. An open and transparent review of all past and future operations is an important step being undertaken in the interests of the people of Puntland the companies and their shareholders, in particular those in Australia and Canada….” Said Dr.Isse Dholawa the director of Puntland Petroleum and mineral Agency.

Source: Horseed Media