Group gives NAPIMS clean bill of health over approval of $260m contracts for exxon mobil’s Usan field

THE Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change (NDIMRC) has given the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) a clean bill of health over alleged illegal approval of $260M contacts for ExxonMobil’s Usan Field.

In a press statement signed by its President, Nelly Emma; Secretary, John Sailor and Public Relations Officer, Stanley Mukoro, the group claimed that the said contract for the ExxonMobil’s Usan Field valued at about $260M followed due process, saying that some elements were just out to tarnish the good image of NAPIMS.

According to the group; “Those behind the story are not telling the whole world the truth. This contract was managed by Total Upstream Nigeria Limited (TUPNI) for two years before it was taken over by ExxonMobil and it is not true that NAPIMS allegedly approved the $260M contracts illegally.”

The group added that; “To the best of our knowledge due process was followed by NAPIMS in the award of the contracts.”

“Without NAPIMS, it would have been very difficult for Nigerian local contractors to be awarded contracts. The allegation that NAPIMS approved the $260M contracts illegally for the ExxonMobil’s Usan Field is unacceptable to us and the entire people of the oil-rich Niger Delta region,” the group wrote.

According to the group also, “There are no illegalities in the contract and it is not true that somebody in NAPIMS just sat on his table and nominated four companies to execute the contract without any tendering process and without approval by the NNPC’s Board and Group Executive Committee (GEC). Due process was followed and somebody should not give NAPIMS a bad name and mislead the public.”

“The fraudsters behind the story aimed at rubbishing the good reputation of NAPIMS should be investigated by the NNPC and dealt with, otherwise this will weaken the morale of NNPC that is doing a great job for Nigerian local contractors and also fighting for a better deal for our people by promoting the Nigerian Local Content,” the group stated.

The group added “It is on this note that we want to give NAPIMS a clean bill of health over the approved $260M contracts for the Exxon Mobil’s Usan Field. NAPIMS should be given a pat on the back for the promotion of the Nigerian Local Content and not condemnation, this is not acceptable.”

The contracts involve the provision of DP2-DP3 Construction Platform Vessel; Provision of DP2 4800 DWT Platform Support Vessel (PSV); and Provision of Fast Supply Intervention Vessel (FSIV) for Usan deepwater project.

ESSO took over the operatorship of Usan Field from Total Upstream Nigeria Limited (TUPNI) on February 1, 2014 and inherited all contracts running on the Usan Field