Sonatrach’s CEO: corruption scandals are individual acts

Sontarach’s CEO Abdelhamid Zerguine Sunday condemned corruption scandals in the company following national and international strong reactions. He described the scandals as “individual acts.”

“The scandals are regrettable and we will condemn individual acts,” Zerguine told a national radio channel.

“We will try to fight them with determination,” he added.

Italy’s Eni is believed to have paid bribes to Algeria officials in return for oil and gas deals.

Earlier on Saturday, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said he is “indignant and he can not pass without noticing the corruption scandals related to Sonatrach.”

“I am sure that justice will find out all the details and issue its strict judgment of sanctions stipulated in our laws,” he said in a letter to workers on the Hydrocarbons Nationalization Day.

Algerian energy minister Youcef Yousfi said he will not be tolerant with any person involved in corruption cases which hit Sonatrach after Italy had opened an investigation into bribes paid to Algerian officials to facilitate procedures to Eni to win a 11-billion-Euros deal.

Speaking about Tiguentourine gas plant which was attacked by terrorists in January, he said production was partially resumed. “The complex started operating partially. We started up unit No 1, two days ago. That will allow us to produce 3 billion cubic meters per year.”