Perenco Moanda HRW pollution risks exposed in CD

• HRW investigation reveals significant health risks for Moanda residents due to Perenco's operations.
• Multiple sources of pollution identified, including air, soil, and water contamination.
• Perenco refuses to disclose environmental data, raising concerns about compliance exposure.
• Congolese government commissioned an environmental audit in December 2024, but results remain unpublished.

The study, which analyzed satellite images and exclusive footage from Perenco's extraction sites, revealed multiple sources of pollution: air, soil, and water contamination.

A recent investigation by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has uncovered significant health risks for residents of the Moanda oil concession in the Kongo-Central province. The study, which analyzed satellite images and exclusive footage from Perenco's extraction sites, revealed multiple sources of pollution: air, soil, and water contamination. The air is polluted by gas flaring, sometimes just 80 meters away from homes. HRW also documented Perenco burning waste openly, a hazardous practice for public health. Furthermore, the company's failure to maintain its sites has led to recurring oil leaks, contaminating soil and water sources.

Residents and doctors interviewed reported concerning symptoms such as vomiting, headaches, and dizziness. HRW warns that chronic diseases linked to exposure to heavy metals are also a risk.

The Congolese government commissioned an environmental audit in December 2024, but the results remain unpublished. Perenco possesses environmental data it refuses to disclose. This lack of transparency raises concerns about compliance exposure for companies operating in the Kongo-Central province. Lawyers advising clients with interests in this region should be aware of these potential risks.

The investigation highlights the need for stricter regulations and enforcement mechanisms to prevent environmental pollution. The HRW report serves as a warning to companies like Perenco, which must prioritize transparency and accountability in their operations.

The findings of the HRW report have significant implications for public health and the environment in the Moanda concession. The pollution risks identified by the investigation underscore the need for companies to adopt responsible practices and prioritize environmental protection. Furthermore, the lack of transparency and accountability in Perenco's operations raises concerns about compliance exposure for companies operating in the region.

The Congolese government must take swift action to address these issues and ensure that companies operating in the country adhere to international standards of environmental responsibility.

Lawyers advising clients with interests in the Kongo-Central province should be aware of the potential compliance exposure related to environmental pollution and the failure of companies like Perenco to disclose relevant data.

Source: Original reporting via Human Rights Watch (HRW)