Sahara: Chinese fined for environmental violation

Following a recent strike by China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) workers, the Chad government announced on 21 March the imposition of a US$1.2 billion fine against the Chinese oil company for repeated environmental damage.

In a tough call, Environment Minister Mahamat Issa Halikimi said, ‘As a result of non-compliance with its obligations and repeated violations of environmental standards … the government requires CNPC International to repair the damage and pay a fine of US$1.2 billion.'

This is a remarkable, and some might say welcome turnaround by a government that, only a decade or so ago, was complicit in allowing appallingly sloppy environmental practices at the Doba oil fields, not to mention dangerous environmental safety shortcuts made for financial reasons in the construction of the Chad–Cameroon pipeline.

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© 2014 Menas Associates