Algeria cracks down on oil subcontracts with terror associates

Ban also covers renting and buying properties and vehicles The Algerian government has ordered national and foreign oil companies working in the country to terminate all dealings with subcontractors associated with terror operatives or their families, sources have told Arabstoday. It was revealed that foreign companies had contracted relatives of terror leaders, including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) leader Mohammed Abdelhamid Abou Zeid Ghadir for services.
The sources said the government's decision came after it received "detailed reports" about oil companies, especially foreign ones, subcontracting small companies that specialise in supplying equipment and motor vehicles owned by relatives of terror operatives. Security authorities have informed oil companies of the government's order.
The ban covers renting and buying properties and vehicles as well as other subcontracting operations in a bid to dry out funds entering the terror system in southern Algeria at the source.
These precautionary measures come following the January terrorist attack on the In Amenas gas complex in the south of Algeria.
Investigations have since revealed that oil conglomerate BP had subcontracted a transport company owned by a relative of AQIM leader Abou Zeid, while security company JPSA had rented its headquarters in Hassi Messaoud, Ouargala from a man related to the same terror chief.
The government has ordered an in-depth investigation into all existing subcontractors in order to ensure that such embarrassing and dangerous deals with terror organisations and their suppliers aren't made again.
The Algerian company has also decided to minimise subcontracts with services companies and obligating companies who wish to sign such contracts to pass them to security authorities which would investigate the identity of the subcontractors.
There is also movement towards building a transport fleet at Sonatrach, Algeria's state-owned oil giant, to cover all such services, ending dependence on private establishments.
BP and Australian oil company BHP were among the companies previously found to have been contracting the services of a money laundering group processing ransom and weapons trafficking cash for Abou Zeid's brother, Assasi Ghadir.