The management of Dangote group has denied an allegation of ownership or involvement in coastalline terminals and ICTSI.

In a statement signed by Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief, Branding & Communications, Dangote Group, the conglomerate stressed that it does not own and has no affiliation whatsoever with ICTSI.

The reaction is coming following a by Sahara Reporters titled ‘EXCLUSIVE: How Suspended NPA Boss, Hadiza Usman Awarded Coastline Terminals To Dangote’s Proxy Company In Shady Deal’.

In the statement, Chiejina noted, “Our attention has been drawn to an online publication by Sahara Reporters titled ‘EXCLUSIVE: How Suspended NPA Boss, Hadiza Usman Awarded Coastline Terminals To Dangote’s Proxy Company In Shady Deal’, dated Sunday, May 9, 2021.

“We want to state without equivocation that Dangote Group does not own and has no affiliation whatsoever with ICTSI as was suggested in the publication. The Dangote Group of Companies refutes in entirety the claims made in the story and condemns the deliberate attempt by Sahara Reporters to implicate our organisation in a matter we know nothing about.”

Continuing, Chiejina explained the group’s operation while stressing none of the group’s units has dealings with coastline terminals. “The group or any of our business units has no dealings on the coastline terminals in Onne Ports Complex nor are we in anyway in any agreement or partnership with the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) or ICSTSI for control of operation of any of its berths in the complex.

“Our stand on this matter is justified by a letter dated Sunday, May 9, 2021 sent from Manila, Philippines, by ICTSI, Senior Vice-President, Philippines, Hans-Ole Madsen, to the Editor, Sahara Reporters, which states: “We would like to clarify that International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) is a Philippine publicly listed independent company engaged in the operation of 33 ports on 6 continents. ICTSI ranks as Top-10 port operator in the world. ICSTSI is not owned or in any way affiliated with the Dangote group of companies.”

Chiejina also hinted that the Dangote group is consulting with its Legal Department on the steps to take on the issue.