The Minority Caucus in Parliament is calling for an urgent parliamentary investigation into a $200 million contract between Jubilee oil partners and Intesoll Engineering, a subsea engineering firm tasked with providing subsea services.
The Minority has raised concerns over the awarding of the contract to Intesoll without competitive bidding.
Intesoll was selected to offer subsea engineering services for the Go Supporter subsea vessel, a decision that the Minority finds problematic and potentially non-transparent.
Addressing the media, John Jinapor, the Ranking Member on the Energy and Mines Committee, expressed serious reservations about the contract and emphasized the need for a thorough inquiry.
“We need to investigate the true value of the contract. We also need to scrutinize the value-for-money aspects and the technical and financial competence of Intesoll. The previous contract involved a joint partnership with Sapura, an internationally recognized company with known capacity,” Jinapor stated.
He highlighted several key areas of concern that the probe should address.
Jinapor stressed the need to determine the actual value of the contract and ensure that it represents good value for money.
The Minority wants to assess the technical and financial capabilities of Intesoll, especially in comparison to the previous contractor, Sapura.
Jinapor questioned why the contract was awarded through sole sourcing rather than competitive bidding, which could have ensured better transparency and potentially more favorable terms.
The investigation would include a review of technical reports and meeting minutes related to the awarding of the contract to understand the decision-making process. Jinapor also pointed out concerns about the five-year duration of the contract, noting that such long-term commitments should be avoided when contract prices are high.
“We will thoroughly investigate this matter, involving all relevant agencies and stakeholders. The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Petroleum Commission, Ministry of Energy, Tullow, the technical operator, and all other pertinent parties will be called upon to provide information,” Jinapor assured. The Minority’s demand for an inquiry reflects broader concerns about transparency and accountability in the awarding of significant government contracts. As the call for a probe gains momentum, it remains to be seen how the parliamentary process will address these serious allegations and ensure that due process is followed in future contract awards.
