NASS Gas Contract Probe: We can’t give you contract document, NLNG tells joint Committee

By Admin

There was mild drama in the Senate Committee’ on when the Executive Director, Training 7 of Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas, NLNG, Ali Uwais bluntly told Senators and members of the joint committee probing the multi billion naira NLNG train 7 project that it has no contract documents to present before them that would have assisted in the investigation process.

The joint Committee on Gas of the Senate and House of Representatives conducting the investigation had no other option than to suspend the investigation till documents were made available by NLNG and SAIPEM Contracting Nig.

According to the lawmakers the action of the NLNG was a major set back for the investigation.

The provoked members therefore told the NLNG team and others to return on 13th June with documents to substantiate the contract and the figures, warning that failure to do that, the necessary sections guiding their activities will be invoked.

In his remarks, Chairman of the joint committee, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, who did not hide his total dismay that the NLNG and the contractor could boldly refuse to supply the document the committee requested, however disclosed that the committee had requested that information be provided on the contract agreement signed between SAIPEM and NLNG as well as any variations requested and subsequently granted on the cost of the project.

The joint Committee later adjourned deliberations on the matter till Wednesday, June 13th, 2024.

It charged NLNG and the contractors to submit the documents not later than Tuesday 11th of June, 2024.

Responding to the request, the contractor said “the disclosure of the contract agreement as well as details of any variation request in respect of the NLNG Project is not within thier sole discretion as the Contract specifically contains confidentiality provisions that forbids the disclosure of its contents and other project information to the authorities without NLNG’s express written consent

In a letter signed by TaeWon Jung, the managing director of Daewoo E&C which is one of the contractors, it was categorically spelt out that providing the committee with any document is not binding, adding, “Given the above, considering the provisions of section 88 of the 1999 constitution which regulates terms and conditions according to which the National Assembly exercises its powers we will appreciate your obliging us of the gazetted copy of such resolution or as published in National Assembly’s journal as prescribed by law.”

In his own submission, Uwais said “the investigative power of the National Assembly is not at large, but it is circumscribed as recognised and endorsed by the courts”