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Reps query NNPC over payment of $50M to unpopular Italian firm for Refineries TAM

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Worried by alleged unclear state of Nigerian refineries and the unsatisfactory mode of award of TAM contracts , the House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc committee probing the state of refineries in the country has queried the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited for approving over $50 million to Maire Tecnimont Nigeria limited, an unpopular Italian firm to carry out integrity test of refineries in the country.

Chairman of the House Adhoc committee, Hon. Ganiyu Johnson issued the query on Thursday in Abuja when the managing director of Technimo Nigeria limited appeared before the Committee

Recall that the Adhoc committee on 4th June, 2022 had  summoned him to give insights into the state of the refineries where he is a major contractor

At the meeting, he was directed to provide proof of payment of the huge sum paid by the NNPC for the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.

The chairman of the committee noted that the query was compelling because the reasons so far advanced by the NNPC over the dismal performance of the nation’s refineries were not convincing and satisfactory to the committee.

“The House probe panel is determined to ascertain the actual cost of rehabilitation of the nation’s four refineries”, the Chairman said

But responding to panel, the Vice President sub-sahara Africa region and managing director (Nigeria) Tecnimont, Davide Pelizzola, explained that the contract was awarded in 2019 at $49million by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to Technimont.

Pelizzola admitted that the approved $50 million is for the first phase of the refurbishment of Refineries across the country. 

However, further inquiries by the committee revealed that the Port Harcourt refinery currently under construction is being handled by a Japan firm and not Maire Tecnimont as claimed. 

Speaking during the investigative hearing, the Executive Director Refining of the NNPC,Philip Chukwu , disclosed that the first advance payment was 10 percent of the amount, adding that the second will be 5%

On why the Group Managing Director GMD of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, was absent at such a crucial session ,Chukwu said that his Boss has requested to be excused by the committee over a top management meeting with staff.

But concerned about the general state of the nation’s refineries a member of the House ad-hoc committee, Hon Stanley Olajide (Oyo, APC) said that a lot of questions needed to be answered by the contractor on the State of the refineries.

For instance , it was uncovered that the alleged fraud surrounding the award of the TAM of Port Harcourt Refinery, started when little known Tecnimont, an Italian Company, coopted Daewoo as partners to bid for the $1.5billion contract.

END 

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Press Release : Okpebholo Denies Sacking Civil Servants As Alleged By PDP

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The statement issued by the factional chapter of the PDP in Edo is a joke taken too far. The PDP is yet to recover from the crushing defeat it suffered during the 21st September governorship election in Edo State.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, since his inauguration on Tuesday, has since hit the ground running and trying to fix the mess created by the immediate-past MoU governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.

For the records, the statement released on Wednesday by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, did not sack any civil servants. Besides, no Governor sacks civil servants through a media pronouncement.

Those asked to go were appointees of the last administration in the State. The factional PDP in Edo State is ignorant, and its members need to be gainfully engaged.

Anyone in the State’s civil service that is an appointee has nothing to fear. But if you are a product of the last MoU government and appointed by Obaseki, the rule of law must stand.

Signed:
Fred Itua,
Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor

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Edo Gov Directs Police Commissioner To End Cult Clashes Within 48hrs

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…….Bans Drivers Welfare Association, Network Empowerment

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Thursday, directed the state Commissioner of Police to halt the violent cult clashes in the State within 48 hours.

The Governor also banned Drivers Welfare Association and Network Empowerment in the State, in a statement signed by Fred Itua,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

He directed the Commissioner of Police to instruct his officers and men across the various formations to immediately swing into action and halt the unnecessary bloodbath.

On Wednesday, the Governor had ordered the immediate and indefinite suspension of collection of all revenues in Edo, especially in motor parks and others, until further notice

The Governor had noted that he would review the issues surrounding the collections soon and decide on the way forward.

“As the Governor of Edo State, cultism can not be allowed here. We must end it and very fast too. I have ordered the Commissioner of Police to halt the madness within 48 years. All those involved in the killings should be stopped.

“Some associations that are causing trouble in the State, especially in Benin City, cannot be allowed to operate here. They all remain banned, and the Commissioner of Police must ensure that his men carry out this instruction by giving teeth to this ban

“Edo must be safe. That was one of my key priorities during the campaigns, and I plan to ensure that we restore it at all costs. We will not fold our arms and allow them to create unnecessary tension,” the statement read.

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Gov Okpebholo Orders Immediate Freezing Of State Bank Accounts

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……..Abolishes Roads and Bridges Ministry, Reverts to Ministry of Works

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, on Thursday, ordered the freezing of all State-owned bank accounts with immediate effect, until further notice.

The Governor has also warned commercial banks, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with the order immediately without any delays.

In a statement signed by
Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Okpebholo warned that anyone, including heads of MDAs and civil servants who flout the order will be severely punished.

“All bank accounts in all the commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with the order and ensure that not a dime is taken out of the confers of Government until there is a further notice.

“Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies must comply with this order and ensure that there is a full compliance without any further delays.

“After the necessary investigations and reconciliations, the Governor will do the needful and decide on the way forward. For now, this order stands,” the statement read.

In the meantime, the Governor has asked the relevant Government agencies to reverse the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to the Ministry of Works. The reversed infamous name was conceptualised during the administration of Godwin Obaseki.

Governor Okpebholo, said since no bridges or good roads were constructed by the administration of Obaseki, it is therefore absurd to maintain such a name.

The Governor, has therefore ordered relevant government agencies to implement the new order and immediately reflect the new name.

“It is funny how you can call a Government institution Ministry of Roads and Bridges. Ironically, no single bridge was built by the same administration. Not even a pedestrian bridge.

“In the coming days, we will look at more actions taken by the previous administration and more decisions will be taken that will be done in the best interest of the State,” the statement concluded.

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