Energy Group Opposes Somalia Oil, Gas Deal

East African Energy Forum (EAEF), a group of Somali resource experts and lawyers that monitor Somalia's natural resources, waters, territorial integrity and sovereignty has opposed government’s deal with Soma Oil and Gas.

The EAEF says it is opposing this deal after conducting a thorough investigation and concluding it to be contrary to the Somali national interest with little net benefit to the public.

"This deal goes against the very principle of transparency and anti-corruption that this government took an oath on last year. We are surprised at the cloud of secrecy and 'behind-closed-doors' methodology this government believes they can deal our natural resources in," EAEF Director Abdillahi Mohamud said.

Aside from the lack of transparency, the group is also blasting the technical quality of the deal and companies involved that have signed with the central government, EAEF said in a ststement posted on its website.

The EAEF's technical team says that Soma Oil and Gas does not have the expertise or the capacity to conduct the offshore seismic survey themselves and would need to sub contract to a capable seismic company.

"How can a company barely four months in existence be given the reigns to explore in our offshore waters? Who are their sub-contractors that will actually do the work? Why aren't reputable seismic companies being allowed to bid on this project in public as is the industry norm? The government should cancel this deal and conduct itself in a transparent and open mannerthat is good business for the country." said Feysal Mayow, the EAEF's technical director.