By RFIPosted on 20-02-2019Modified on 20-02-2019 at 02:58
The French group Veolia leaves Gabon definitively, one year after the unilateral rupture of the government of the contract which bound them. On February 16, 2018, the Gabonese authorities requisitioned the premises of Veolia, which has a 51% stake in SEEG, the Gabonese Energy and Water Corporation. A legal action started last March before the Cirdi, the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes. The two parties found common ground Tuesday, February 19, before the end of the legal action.
After 20 years of presence, Veolia leaves Gabon by the small door. Majority in the Energy and Water Company of Gabon, the French group will sell all of its shares to the Gabonese state. Neither party has disclosed the amount that Libreville will pay to Veolia.
Specialized in water supply and sanitation, Veolia Africa also took care of the distribution of electricity and had the monopoly. The recriminations of the users faced with the numerous water and electricity cuts were at the origin of the unilateral rupture of the contract which bound the Gabonese State to the French company a year ago, but not only.
SEEG will become public again
They multiplied the interventions in the media and the mutual accusations, on bottom of disagreement on the amount of investments of each of the parts. The Gabonese authorities have even accused Veolia of causing damage to the environment around all the sites operated by its now former local subsidiary.
Charges that Veolia has always rejected. With the departure of the French private group, the Energy and Water Company of Gabon becomes fully public.
On the same subject
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Veolia wants an international conciliation following its dispute with Gabon
Gabon: Veolia accused of pollution, NGO calls for investigation
Between the Gabonese State and the French group Veolia, the war of words continues
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