Commisimpex, a construction firm has recently taken the Congo Republic to a French court for over $1 billion in unpaid bills.
In the early 1980s, Commisimpex had worked on construction and public works projects and was ordered into liquidation in 2012, by a Congolese court. For this reason, the company wants Total, Eni and other energy firms to pay taxes and royalties to the company instead of paying the state.
Prior to this time, Commisimpex had pursued Congo in courts, had filed its latest petition to the French commercial tribunal and served a summons to the Congolese unit of France’s Total and other firms informing them of its action.
Commisimpex’s petition lists Elf Aquitaine, Total E&P Congo, Eni and Eni Congo as defendants.
Five smaller firms – Congorep, SNPC, Kontinent Congo, AOGC and Petro Congo – which acquired stakes in the fields at a later date, are also listed.
