Nouakchott

One of the new projects Piet has been working on is offshore Mauritania. Like most of the projects in Africa the work is mainly done from the head office in The Hague, with support from a small team in country. In Mauritania this is still in its infancy, and the local Shell office is based in a hotel, with a Dutch country manager, and two Mauritanian staff.

To support progressing the project Piet, and a few colleagues, travelled to Nouakchott, the capital (an excellent quiz question!), located at the coast. This is a sprawling city, with typical Middle East and North African characteristics, only less developed than most places. Many roads are still unpaved, whilst new office blocks are being build, and are in various states of completion (or not). Piet and team met a number of stakeholders in the government and the state oil company, visited the potential new office and worked on the project from the hotel.
Next to work there was also an opportunity to see something of the city. They visited the fish market at the beach, and the local market in the Cinquieme and Sixieme districts, with many small shops and stalls, and an incredible amount of rubbish everywhere. Unfortunately the weather wasn't great, with strong winds and a lot of dust and sand in the air. The sun was not visible during the week.
Mauritania is an islamic country, and is completely dry. So no alcohol during dinner! There is hardly any entertainment, but the restaurants are of good quality. So as a place to live or to go on holiday Nouakchott is quite low on most lists!

View from the new office building

On the beach; there many, many small fishing boats

Nouakchott fish market

Nouakchott beach: small boats till the horizon

Nouakchott business district

The main mode of transport at the local market

Oranges from Morocco for sale

The pots and pans shop