"We will return," says Total's chairman after meeting with Nyusi in Paris -- Watch

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“We will return,” says Total’s chairman after meeting with Nyusi in Paris — Watch

7:54 CAT | 18 May 2021

Photo: TVM

Total chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné has assured Mozambican president Filipe Nyusi that the oil company will resume activities in Mozambique as soon as security is restored, VOA Portugues reports.

“In fact, we are working. There was this incident in Palma, Cabo Delgado province, which is a security issue. But, I want to ensure that we had to take security measures. Our commitment remains,“ said Patrick Pouyanné, speaking to Mozambican journalists after the meeting between himself and President Filipe Nyusi on Monday (17-05) in Paris.

Also read: Total’s Mozambique LNG Project to take center stage at the France Africa Economic summit – African Energy Chamber

“We are going to return, and we have full confidence that the Government of Mozambique is working towards, and will be able to restore, security, And we will be there,” Pouyanné emphasised, justifying the suspension of activities and the withdrawal of his employees on safety grounds, saying that “we are for safety, especially people’s safety “.

In reply to questions from journalists, the head of Total denied rumours that the company was considering abandoning the US$20 billion natural gas project in Cabo Delgado.

“Total remains committed to its project in Mozambique. Natural gas is in great demand. For the planet, it is important energy; it is a priority, that is why we remain committed,” he said.

President Filipe Nyusi did not issue a statement after the meeting, but the subject is likely to be the central theme of talks with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.

Nyusipouyanee — *Photo: Folha de Maputo*

The French press, citing sources at the Elysee Palace, says that Macron will propose that French troops be deployed on the ground in order to guarantee the security of the multimillion-dollar investment.

Suspension of activities

A month after the March 24 attack on the village of Palma, Total confirmed on April 26 that it had withdrawn all of its personnel from the northern province of Cabo Delgado “for reasons of force majeure”.

“Considering the evolution of the security situation in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, in Mozambique, Total confirms the withdrawal of all personnel from the Mozambique LNG project, from the Afungi site,” the energy giant said in a statement, adding: “This situation leads Total, as operator of the Mozambique LNG project, to declare ‘force majeure’.”

The company however reiterated “its solidarity with the government and people of Mozambique, and wishes that the actions carried out by the Government of Mozambique and its regional and international partners allow the restoration of security and stability in the province of Cabo Delgado in a sustained manner”.

Source: Voa Portugues