14 DAY TRIAL // Media reports say that, should things go according to plan, oil and gas exploration and production company Soco International PLC will debut seismic testing activities in the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo this coming Saturday.
On its website, environmental group the World Wildlife Fund details that these seismic testing activities are to be carried out in several portions of the Park's Lake Edward.
Needless to say, locals will not be allowed to fish in these areas until the UK-based company Soco International PLC has done trying to pin down subterranean oil reserves that might be hidden in the region.
What's more, it is likely that, should oil reserves be found and should the company proceed with drilling exploration wells, it will be a while before locals can return to business as usual. Provided that they will ever be able to do so, that is.
Commenting on the oil and gas company's decision to move forward with its plans to explore, maybe even exploit the Virunga National Park despite protests and international opposition, Lasse Gustavsson with the World Wildlife Fund stated as follows:
“WWF condemns in the strongest terms Soco's unacceptable operations in Virunga National Park. It is irresponsible for Soco to disregard the national and international laws protecting this World Heritage Site. The company is putting the livelihoods of thousands of people at risk.”
The organization claims that, for the time being, fishing activities in Lake Edward provide people living close to the Virunga National Park with about $30 million (€21.70 million) on a yearly basis. Hence, exploiting said water source has high chances to leave local communities without a very important source of income.
What's more, drilling activities in the region are likely to translate into air pollution, water contamination, and habitat loss. These issues will affect not just local communities, but also wildlife in the Virunga National Park.
“Virunga could be a source of hope for eastern DRC if is fisheries, hydropower and ecotourism potential are developed sustainably. Soco should not be allowed to threaten the future of this irreplaceable park,” Lasse Gustavsson said in a statement.
The World Wildlife Fund argues that, since Soco International PLC answers to its shareholders, it might still be possible to save the Virunga National Park, should investors take a stand against plans to explore and exploit this protected region.
As Lasse Gustavsson put it, “As a publically-traded company, Soco is accountable to its shareholders. We urge investors to reject exploration in Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse national park.”