Niger expels 3 directors of Chinese oil companies

Today (March 14), Niger authorities ordered the expulsion of three Chinese directors of oil and gas companies from the East Asian country, and a hotel opened by Chinese people, according to AFP.

An oil exploration project operated by a Chinese company in Niger

Niger authorities have issued a decree to expel three Chinese executives from China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), oil refiner Soraz and gas pipeline operator Wapco. All those named must leave Niger within two days.

The reports did not mention the reason for the decision, but Ibrahim Bana, a commentator with close ties to Niger's government, said online that the deportees had "ignored" requests from authorities to take measures to protect Niger's interests in oil exploration.

In another decision, this time from the Niger Ministry of Tourism, the local government also revoked the business license of the 4-star Soluxe International Hotel operated by Chinese nationals. The reason for the revocation was due to "discriminatory" behavior and financial irregularities on the part of the Chinese side.

The hotel opened in 2015 and mainly caters to employees of three Chinese companies whose directors have been deported.

Niger's military took over the government in a coup in 2023 and has vowed to secure revenue from the country's mining and oil industries.

Oil Minister Sahabi Oumarou in February asked Soraz to come up with a plan to ensure Nigeriens have seats on its board, as well as pay more equal wages to domestic workers.

Niger is an oil producer but refines only a small fraction of its output. Since early March, the country has been facing an unprecedented shortage of gasoline.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/niger-truc-xuat-3-giam-doc-cua-cac-cong-ty-dau-khi-trung-quoc-185250314184703414.htm