The Ventora Group denounces a report that is “complex”, “confusing”, “contradictory” and “riddled with inconsistencies”, produced by the NGO coalition Congo Not for Sale (CNPAV).
On 31 July, CNPAV coalition published an analysis of the losses allegedly suffered by the Congolese state and Gécamines in connection with the Mutanda Mining (MUMI) project, one of the world’s largest cobalt producers. Entitled ‘Cobalt at bargain prices, corruption at full price’, the report denounces a series of opaque transactions that allegedly favoured private groups at the expense of national heritage, with particular emphasis on Israeli businessman Dan Gertler.
According to CNPAV, Gécamines received only US$250 million for the sale of its stakes in the Mutanda and Kansuki projects. Meanwhile, other players, often from the private sector or linked to offshore networks, allegedly pocketed nearly US$2 billion from the resale of these same assets.
In a 25-page response analysis sent to Infos.cd, Ventora Development, the group owned by Israeli businessman Dan Gertler, rejects the report as ‘erroneous’. ‘It is complex, confusing, contradictory and riddled with inconsistencies,’ Ventora responds.
Even more seriously, it adds, it deliberately presents the facts inaccurately. ‘It relies on unfounded or irrelevant assessments to support its narrative, which is not only misleading but also fundamentally disconnected from reality.’
In its analysis, Ventora presents figures that it says are verifiable, independent assessments, concrete examples and detailed comparisons that refute the ‘false claims of the CNPAV.’
Ventora adds that the transactions cited were not backroom deals. They were significant and transparent agreements concluded in a complex operational environment and subject to legal and regulatory scrutiny. « The results speak for themselves: key mining projects in the DRC have been unlocked, value has been created for stakeholders, including Gécamines and the Congolese state, and long-term investments have been made that continue to benefit the country.” Ventora also notes the CNPAV’s unhealthy fixation on Dan Gertler.
Infos.cd
