NASS probe into NLNG Train 7 Project suffers setback

The National Assembly’s probe into the multi-billion naira NLNG Train 7 task has encountered a important setback arsenic contractors person refused to taxable documents indispensable for the probe.

The NLNG Train 7 task involves the operation and cognition of an further Complete LNG Train (CT) and a Common Liquefaction Unit (CLU) with a full capableness of 7.4 mtpa (million tons per annum).

The associated Committee connected Gas of the Senate and House of Representatives, which is conducting the investigation, had to suspend proceedings until documents are provided by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) and SAIPEM Contracting Nigeria Ltd.

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Chairman of the associated committee, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, expressed disappointment that NLNG and the contractor could garbage to proviso the requested documents.

The committee had asked for accusation connected the declaration statement betwixt SAIPEM and NLNG, arsenic good arsenic immoderate variations requested and subsequently granted regarding the project’s cost.

However, the contractor responded, stating, “The disclosure of the declaration statement arsenic good arsenic details of immoderate saltation petition successful respect of the NLNG Project is not wrong our sole discretion arsenic the Contract specifically contains confidentiality provisions that forbid the disclosure of its contents and different task accusation to the authorities without NLNG’s explicit written consent.”

In a missive signed by TaeWon Jung, the managing manager of Daewoo E&C, 1 of the contractors, it was explicitly stated that providing the committee with immoderate papers is not obligatory.

“Given the above, considering the provisions of conception 88 of the 1999 constitution, which regulates presumption and conditions according to which the National Assembly exercises its powers, we would admit your obliging america with the gazetted transcript of specified solution oregon arsenic published successful the National Assembly’s diary arsenic prescribed by law,” helium insisted.

Representing NLNG astatine the meeting, NLNG Executive Project Director, Train 7, Mr. Ali Uwais, stated, “The investigative powerfulness of the National Assembly is not astatine ample but is circumscribed arsenic recognised and endorsed by the courts.”

The associated Committee aboriginal adjourned deliberations connected the substance until Wednesday, June 13th, 2024. It charged NLNG and the contractors to taxable the documents nary aboriginal than Tuesday, June 11th, 2024.