NNPC Denies Awarding Pipeline Contracts to Cabals

By Bliss Okperan

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, on Sunday, revealed that the accusation that its managing director, Mele Kyari, awarded the control of Nigeria’s pipelines to some northern cabals is false.

“The attention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has been drawn to reports in an isolated section of the media alleging underhand dealings in the award of contracts for the rehabilitation of pipelines across the country.

“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,” a part of the statement said.

“We also had representations from NEITI and the Ministry of Justice in the project development team and the evaluation exercise,”

“It is crucial to provide accurate information to address any misconceptions and ensure transparency in our operations. We would like to state categorically that these reports are fallacious and designed to bring the good name of the Company into disrepute,” it added.

In the rebuttal, the NNPC said it subjected the selection process to a competitive tender guided by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) standards, infrastructure concession regulatory commission expertise, and the active involvement of a transaction advisor.

“These contracts, which were advertised, were awarded based on rigorous evaluation criteria and in line with industry norms,” it stated via its X platform.

The oil firm said for lot 1, it awarded the contract to a consortium of Oilserve Ltd, Chu Kong Steel Pipe Group Company Ltd, and Saudi Crown Oilserve.

As for the second lot, the consortium comprises 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, and The Spanish National Association of Manufacturers.

It stated that the group of A A Rano, Zakhem Construction Nigeria, Bablinks Resources Ltd, and VAE Controls S.R.O, was in the third lot, while the fourth lot had MRS Oil and Gas, and CPPE Nigeria Ltd.”