WILLEMSTAD - The Oryx Group has emphatically stated today that it is not involved with a publication by the website "Public Eye". This statement comes after Curaçaoan media reported on an article from the site, which mentioned various companies engaged in trading base products and exploiting lax regulations in African countries to sell contaminated and polluted fuels. According to Oryx Group, this does not pertain to them, especially considering they signed a contract with the Curaçao refinery on July 1.
The "Public Eye" article names companies such as Vitol, Trafigura, Addax, and Oryx Group as being involved in the trade of contaminated fuels. However, Oryx Group/Oryx Midstream Ltd. clarified in a statement that their operations began in 2021, whereas the "Public Eye" article references a 2016 investigation. At that time, Oryx Group and its subsidiaries did not yet exist. The company emphasized its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of environmental and operational safety.
The controversy stems from "Public Eye's" claims that these companies exploit weaker regulatory frameworks in certain African nations to distribute lower-quality, polluted fuels, thereby profiting at the expense of environmental and public health standards.
Oryx Group’s recent contract with the Curaçao refinery has placed them in the spotlight, necessitating a clear distinction between their current operations and the allegations raised in the article.
In their defense, Oryx Group stressed their dedication to ethical practices and environmental stewardship. They stated, "We are committed to adhering to the highest environmental and operational safety standards and any insinuation to the contrary is unfounded given our operational history."
As the situation develops, Oryx Group remains firm in distancing itself from the allegations and continues to advocate for responsible business practices. This incident highlights the importance of accurate reporting and the potential impact of misattribution on corporate reputations.
The Curaçao media's coverage of the "Public Eye" article underscores the need for due diligence in linking historical allegations with present-day entities. Oryx Group hopes that their clarification will put to rest any misconceptions and reinforce their commitment to sustainable and responsible operations in the global market.