Key Highlights
- According to reports by UN Monitoring Group, the British company Soma Oil & Gas was accused of making large payments to Somalia’s ministry of oil officials to secure oil exploration deals.
- The document submitted to the U.N. Security Council’s Somalia/Eritrea sanctions committee requested for a proper investigation into Soma by Britain’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
- August 20, 2015, Soma Oil & Gas now have requested for a meeting with UN over ‘payoffs’ allegations to Somalia officials.
- Soma Oil & Gas Holding Ltd Michael Howard requested a meeting with United Nations to discuss on allegations put before the company’s dealings in Somalia
- In a letter published to the company’s website addressed to the UN Security Council Chairman Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno expressed concern about the UN Monitoring Group’s “fundamental misunderstanding of the oil and gas industry.”
Summary
From the content of Soma letter, it is clear that the company management want to exonerate themselves of allegation of ‘payoffs’ as revealed by the UN Monitoring Group.
Soma Which is a British Oil firm continue to deny the allegations citing that contracts were awarded by Somali’s cabinet and not members of the petroleum ministry and as such above board.
In their letter, Soma addressed their commitment, the necessity for a positive impact of the company’s capacity building in relation with the ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources in Somalia.
On 31st July 2015, U.K’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) announced probing the London based Soma along with Soma Oil & Gas Exploration Ltd and their management in relation to the issue of allegations of corruption in Somalia.
Though Soma has denied the allegations, it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
