The sight of oil drills near Adore Ngaka’s home serves as a daily reminder of the losses he has endured. Mining activities in his village in the western Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have led to soil pollution, diminished crops, and financial strain on his family.
Ngaka, a 27-year-old farmer, gestures toward a shriveled ear of corn in his garden, explaining that it is now only half its previous size due to the expansion of oil operations nearly a decade ago in Tshiende village. “This is pushing us into poverty,” he laments.
Congo, a country rich in minerals, also boasts significant oil reserves. While drilling has been limited thus far, mainly along the Atlantic Ocean and offshore, the government aims to auction 30 oil and gas blocks across the nation.
Government officials argue that economic growth is crucial for the country’s impoverished population. However, some communities, rights groups, and environmental watchdogs warn that expanded drilling could harm the landscape and public health.
Pollution concerns have escalated since the Franco-British hydrocarbon company Perenco began drilling in Moanda territory in 2000. Residents report worsening pollution, with spills, leaks, soil degradation, and flaring – the intentional burning of natural gas near drilling sites – impacting their environment and health. They allege that the Congolese government exercises little oversight.
Perenco contends that its extraction methods adhere to international standards, pose no health risks, and that any pollution is minimal. The company has proposed supporting a power plant that would use natural gas to reduce flaring.
The DRC is home to most of the Congo Basin rainforest, the second largest in the world, and the world’s largest tropical peatland, both critical for carbon dioxide absorption. Several parcels up for auction overlap with protected areas, including Virunga National Park, a sanctuary for rare gorillas.
Environmental groups argue that the auctioning of more land for drilling would have adverse consequences locally and globally. “Any new oil or gas project fuels the climate and nature crisis we face,” says Mbong Akiy Fokwa Tsafak of Greenpeace Africa, noting that Perenco’s activities have not alleviated poverty but have degraded ecosystems and impacted communities.
Despite potential for renewable energy development, such as solar power and small-scale hydroelectricity, the DRC’s Minister of Oil and Gas, Didier Budimbu, maintains that the country’s dependence on fossil fuels must continue for now, with a gradual phase-out planned in the long term.
Local communities near drilling sites have expressed health concerns, blaming air and soil pollution for crop failures and respiratory issues. They report frequent pipe breaks and oil spills, leading to further environmental degradation.
In Kinkazi village, residents allege that Perenco buried chemicals near their community, causing soil and water contamination. The company denies these claims, stating that complaints about the site were related to past dumps from over 20 years ago.
While Perenco has invested in community projects, some villagers feel the benefits are overstated. Compensation for damages, such as oil spills, is deemed inadequate by affected residents.
The auctioning of oil blocks has been slow, with few bidders showing interest. Environmental experts attribute this to operational challenges in the conflict-ridden east, where some blocks are located.
Critics argue that the lack of transparency in the auction process leaves communities uninformed about plans to exploit their land and resources. Despite challenges, some communities see drilling as a potential source of development, contingent on government support for essential services.
Louis Wolombassa, chief of Kimpozia village, believes that drilling could benefit his community if accompanied by infrastructure development. “If they come and bring what we want, let them drill,” he says.
