Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

After an energy corruption scandal involving Discover Petroleum International surfaced in Peru, the small Norwegian oil company issued a press release stating it had been the victim of corrupt acts orchestrated by its Peruvian advisors.

The company denied having paid its Peruvian representatives to steer the outcome of a concession bid to explore several oil blocks in the Andean country.

"We have never been aware of nor been responsible for any forms of such payments that they are talking about, and we strongly deny any such allegations," affirmed company representatives.

The company assured it had contacted international organizations to examine their transactions in Peru.

"We have been in contact with The Norwegian National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime today to seek advice on how to handle this case," said Jostein Kjærstad, CEO and Chairman of the Board.

"We will also contact Transparency International or other independent expertise, to have them examine all of our transactions and activities in Peru."

Because of the involvement of Alberto Quimper, a board member of the state energy agency Perupetro and Romulo Leon, a prominent member of President Alan Garcia's APRA party, opposition lawmakers have asked that Garcia clear his cabinet.

In response to corruption allegations, sixteen of Garcia's cabinet ministers offered to resign on Thursday.

The president has also fired two high-ranking energy officials, approved the minister of energy's resignation and suspended five oil contracts with Discover Petroleum.