Turkmen President Increases Powers Of Hydrocarbons Agency

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov signed a decree on 5 May that significantly expands the powers of the State Agency for the Management and Use of Hydrocarbon Resources. The agency, which issues oil and gas exploration and production licenses, was granted the authority to “monitor the activities of foreign companies, the country’s ministries and departments involved in projects implemented in the fuel and energy sector within Turkmenistan,” according to the text of the decree. The move is viewed as curbing the authority of the Ministry of Oil and Gas while increasing the power of the President’s Office and in particular Baymyrad Hojamuhamedov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet.  After serving as head of state firm Turkmengaz, Mr Hojamuhamedov has emerged as Mr Berdymukhamedov’s top energy advisor. Besides increasing the power of the hydrocarbons agency, Mr Berdymukhamedov also publicly criticized the agency’s director, Yagshygeldi Kakayev, for “unsatisfactory fulfillment of official duties [and] shortcomings in his work.” It is not yet clear whether Mr Kakayev will be replaced, but such public reproaches are usually the prelude to an official’s dismissal.

© Copyright MEES 2012.