‘Alternative summit’ – Pushing for an inclusive debate on megaprojects in Mozambique

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‘Alternative summit’ – Pushing for an inclusive debate on megaprojects in Mozambique

4:13 CAT | 12 Nov 2019

The poster announcing the event. [Image: Social Media]

Civil society NGOs in Mozambique wants to look beyond business in the megaproject debate, and are holding a meeting in Maputo to parallel the 6th Mozambique Gas Summit promoted by the National Hydrocarbon Company.

A group of Mozambican civil society organisations will call today (Tuesday, 12/11) for an inclusive debate on gas megaprojects in the country at an “alternative summit” tomorrow Wednesday, in Maputo.

“Business summits are exclusive, since they entail high registration costs” and all that is discussed “is business”, executive director of the Kuwuka Youth Development and Environmental Advocacy, Camilo Nhancale, says.

As a result, “issues such as the social, economic and environmental impacts resulting from the such investment are neglected.”

The alternative NGO-sponsored meeting is entitled “Our Resources, Our Wealth, Our Inclusion” and kicks off a day before the 6th Mozambique Gas Summit on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

The 6th Mozambique Gas Summit is promoted by the National Hydrocarbon Company (ENH), in partnership with an international energy industry event organiser (CWC Group).

Exploitation vs development

The NGOs intend to discuss the general context of the extractive industry, finding the Mozambican state’s “generous” tax exemptions are the cause of the exploitation of resources translating into development in the areas affected.

As examples, they cite the heavy sands projects in Moma and Angoche (both in Nampula province, in the north of the country), coal in Tete (centre) and natural gas in Temane (south).

The debate aims to focus on investments in natural gas in the northern Rovuma basin by consortia led by Total, Exxon Mobil and Eni, whose investments will total around US$50 billion (€45.3 billion), and which will also be under the spotlight at the ‘business-oriented’ summit.

The meeting is hosted by NGOs Kuwuka, National Rural Extension Association, Civic Coalition on Extractive Industry and Oxfam Mozambique, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Source: Deutsche Welle