Cooperation between the two countries has strengthened in recent years, thanks to the notable commitment of Russian companies in the oil and gas sector in Congo. After a meeting with the Minister of Hydrocarbons, Bruno Jean Richard Itoua, on October 22 in Brazzaville, the Russian ambassador, Illias Iskandarov, spoke of the need to implement ongoing projects, including the construction of the Pointe-Noire-Brazzaville-Oyo oil pipeline.
The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Congo, Illias Iskandarov, and Minister Bruno Jean Richard Itoua reviewed the topics of Congo-Russia cooperation, mainly in the field of Hydrocarbons. During their exchange, the two men also reviewed the global context dominated by the BRICS summit, a group of countries seeking recognition of the multipolarity of global economic and political balances.
Regarding the Pointe-Noire-Brazzaville-Oyo oil pipeline construction project, the Council of Ministers approved the start of construction work, which should be carried out 90% by the Russian pipeline builder ZNGS Prometey and 10% by the National Oil Company of Congo. New horizons are opening up for Congo-Russia cooperation, according to Illias Iskandarov, with an expansion to the hydrocarbons market.
The infrastructure is supposed to connect Pointe-Noire, a port city, and an oil industry platform in the capital Brazzaville before reaching Oyo, in the Cuvette department. ” I do not hide our vision. We would like to see Congo as a hub for all of Central Africa in terms of the supply of oil products, gas and electricity. With the Minister of Hydrocarbons, we discussed these perspectives and all the projects that can be accomplished in order to allow the development of Congo-Russia cooperation for the benefit of our two peoples ,” said the Russian ambassador.
The construction of the pipeline would ensure the availability of petroleum products throughout the territory in a context of recurring shortage of fuel at the pump. The concession agreement should specify the technical and financial aspects for the construction, operation and transfer of the infrastructure. Russian companies are also engaged in the construction of hydroelectric dams, the deployment of crawler bulldozers and pipe layers for the construction of roads, hydraulic structures and civil construction materials.
Regarding the BRICS summit in which the Congolese head of state, Denis Sassou N’Guesso, is taking part in Kazan, Russia, Ambassador Illias Iskandarov described changes that are helping to drive a wave of growth in the world. The BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, as well as new members, including Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, represents half of the world’s population and 36% of global GDP. ” A country like the Republic of Congo will play an important role in global cooperation ,” the ambassador said.
