The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has denied reports of an alleged secret award of contracts for the rehabilitation of the nation’s pipelines to four oil companies that belong to Northern cabals.
This was revealed in a statement made via the X account of NNPC on Sunday evening, stating that it is crucial to provide accurate information to address and misconception and ensure transparency in operations.
“We would like to state categorically that these reports are fallacious and designed to bring the good name of the Company into disrepute.
“NNPC Limited is deeply committed to adhering to the highest standards of transparency and global best practices in all our activities, and this includes our contracting process.
“These contracts, which were advertised, were awarded based on rigorous evaluation criteria and in line with industry norms.
“To re-emphasise our commitment to transparency, NNPC subjected the selection process to a competitive tender guided by Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) standards, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission expertise, and the active involvement of a Transaction Advisor. We also had representations from NEITI and the Ministry of Justice in the project development team and the evaluation exercise.
According to the statement, the composition of consortium members per lot spread across the country are as follows;
LOT 1: Oilserve Ltd, Chu Kong Steel Pipe Group Company Ltd, Saudi Crown Oilserve
LOT 2: MacReady Oil and Gas Services, COBRA Instalicios S.A, Control Y Montajes Industriales & International De Pipelines, Iron Products Industries Ltd, Batelitwin Global Services Ltd, Bauen Empresa Constructora SAU, Sanderton Energy Ltd, The Spanish National Association of Manufacturers
LOT 3: A A Rano, Zakhem Construction Nigeria, Bablinks Resources Ltd, VAE Controls S.R.O
LOT 4: MRS Oil and Gas, CPPE Nigeria Ltd
The statement further revealed that the contracts are on a Build, Operate and Transfer agreements and that selected partners are to finance the rehabilitation and do not entail the transfer of control of these assets to any particular company.
“Our objective is to enhance the integrity and functionality of the pipelines to facilitate the efficient transportation of crude oil to refineries and the distribution of its products across the country.
“The ownership of these strategic national assets remains with NNPC Limited, and we are fully committed to ensuring their continued operation in the interest of over 200 million Nigerians.” The statement read.