The Managing Director of «North Caspian Operating Company» (NCOC), Giancarlo Rui, answered a question about fines and environmental violations during a session in the Mazhilis.
According to Ulysmedia.kz, the deputies asked Rui whether there was a strategy for environmental protection.
«Is it more convenient for you to simply pay fines than to comply with environmental requirements? Why don't you think about the environment?» – the deputies asked.
Rui replied that the company pays close attention to the country's internal values. At the same time, he emphasised that NCOC's environmental issues and initiatives should be considered separately.
«I will give a specific answer in writing. I want to look at these two issues separately. The assertion that it is easier for us to simply pay the fine is incorrect – we have no such strategy. We work in this country and adhere to the best standards, we comply with the law», – he stated.
At the same time, it became known that after the session in the Mazhilis, the Managing Director of NCOC literally «fled» from journalists, despite being personally addressed by name.
The media planned to ask Rui questions about regular environmental violations, lawsuits, and other problems of the company.
Incidentally, in January a court in Astana issued a ruling to recover more than 3.5 billion tenge from NCOC for environmental violations at the Kashagan field. According to the court decision, the company is obliged to pay:
- 2,823,549,395 tenge as compensation for damages;
- 726,998,611 tenge to state revenue;
- 73,840,000 tenge as a state duty.