Worried by trending news report that it offered a bribe to scuttle the petition brought against it for allegedly flouting the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, Total Upstream Nigeria Limited, has denied the allegation.
Business Hilights recalls that Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Solomon Adeola, had on Tuesday last week made the allegation when the Senate opened investigation into irregularities against Total Nigeria and National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), but was quick to announce that his committee rejected the bribe offer.
Senator Adeola averred that he was aware that there were forces trying to scuttle the contract validly entered into between the oil firm and members of the Indigenous Vessels Operators Association of Nigeria
However, in a terse statement, the External Relations Manager of Total Upstream Nigeria Limited, Charles Ebereonwu, claimed that “Total is a highly principled company and would not in any way bribe its way to get issues resolved”.
“Total Upstream Nigeria Limited wishes to state that it has strict Conflict of Interest and Compliance policies. Total Upstream Nigeria Limited also wishes to state that it rejects all forms of bribery and corruption.
The Senate Committee on Local Content is yet to react to the statement issued by Total even as seating of the Committee is continuing.
