A multi-billion dollar oil deal between China and the west African state of Niger has been denounced by unions and transparency campaigners...China's state oil company [China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC)] was given oil exploration rights in Niger in June. There is widespread concern that the people of Niger will not benefit from the country's oil wealth...[A] coalition of organisations in Niger has called for a parliamentary investigation into the deal and an examination of how the funds resulting from the agreement are spent. A mining union in Niger said the deal with China took place in the greatest of secrecy and with contempt for regulation.