Rhodes Oil Plant at the balance sheet time: change to give back

The ministerial decree granting license to exploit precious wood, namely Rhodes Oil Plants, came to an end on November 30th, 2009. Now that reassessment is on, politicians are arguing on the judiciousness of the act which, at any rate, led to an irretrievable environmental disaster. The HAT minister for environment reported that the temporary export authorization granted some 30 billions of ariary to the State. General Calixte Randriamiandrisoa rated 100 millions returned ariary per container, and put forth 300 exported containers.  

The minister for environment rather looked satisfied by the achievement completed by the Task Force, basically set up to restore order and rule of law in the sector. Some 30 000 logs of Rhodes Oil Plants have been seized, as well as 20 000 plates and 600 beams. According to Calixte Randriamiandrisoa, a public bid will be launched so that the State takes advantage of them. The minister of the environment has a rather commercial vision of the Rhodes Oil Plant export management process. On this account he is blaming the previous regime for having, allegedly, allowed the export of 575 containers. “The State missed out on 60 billions of ariary”, noticed Calixte Randriamiandrisoa.  

As the Rhodes Oil Plant’s market price reaches nearly 25 000 US$ per cubic meter, the returned 100 millions of ariary (50 000 US$) per container, each as large as 30 cubic meters, that is to say a cargo of 750 000 US$, rather seem insignificant from the accountant point. At least it is still better than nothing. The ecologist Voahary Gasy alliance fustigated the State’s commercial objective whose benefits, mainly harvested from Rhodes Oil Plant exports, have taken a far too important toll on the environment. A rational and controlled management at the rate of a couple of cut down timbers per hectare and per year would be more profitable, either commercially or ecologically.  

Prime Minister Eugene Mangalaza asked all secretary generals from ministries implied in the Task Force to halt all operations related to the exploitation of precious wood for good. The HAT minister replied and recalled that he is still in charge of the file. Mobility leader Albert Zafy fustigated the dictatorial transition’s Rhodes Oil Plant export campaign’s management. He proposed the idea of a large scale unveiling, and invited the concerned state-controlled actors, the Task force, the local populations and the communal authorities to reveal the truth.  

The former president evoked serious corruption cases. “Regular operators drew less advantages than irregular operators”, he summarized. Ten people have been held in custody, and nine more have been lately arrested in Mananara North. The big fishes have, however, had no cause for concern. Zafy Albert recalled Joaquim Chissano’s question addressed to the Rajoelina mobility: “Is there anything that you, present leaders, are afraid to let out, which urges you to battle for your seats?”.