He is still under investigation
By (News Diggers)
THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has questioned Agro Fuel Investment Proprietor Shashi Patel over the awarding of a tender to his company for the cleaning up of TAZAMA Pipeline.
ACC had also earlier summoned Devon Oil for questioning.
And ACC Director General Tom Shamakamba says the Commission is “doing something” and will let the public know in due course.
Recently Zambian Civil Liberties Union had lodged a complaint with Chief Justice Mumba Malila against Energy Minister Peter Kapala for alleged abuse of office and his powers.
This was in relation to the fuel supply tenders awarded to Agro Fuel Investments Limited, Devon Oil Zambia Limited and Transworld Petroleum Limited.
News Diggers had earlier reported that Kapala had awarded another fuel supply contract without following tender procedure to Transworld Petroleum Limited…
Kapala had previously awarded a contract to Agro fuel for the supply of fuel without following tender procedures, a company which was contracted to clean up the TAZAMA pipeline in readiness for the open access regime.
Kapala also awarded a contract to Devon Oil, but he later cancelled it on grounds that the company delayed to supply the commodity.
Impeccable sources have told News Diggers that Patel appeared at the ACC on 18th November for questioning over his company’s tender for cleaning up TAZAMA and subsequent contracts that he was awarded.
“Shashi Patel appeared at ACC on or about 18th of November for questioning. He was questioned about his company’s tender for the cleaning up of TAZAMA Pipeline and also the subsequent contracts that he was awarded for the supply of diesel using the pipeline. He is still under investigation; the matter has not been concluded. The Commission is investigation the issue of single sourcing and usage of Tazama pipeline,’ the source said.
The source said Devon oil was also summoned on 16th November over the supply tender.
“Devon Oil was also summoned to appear for questioning, and they went there on 16th November,’ said the source.
Devon Oil had submitted to ACC that after the cancellation of the tender, the company had accrued demurrage costs on a daily basis and decided to commence mitigation exercises.
“Our good vessel had been waiting at the port of Dar since September 28 and had been accruing demurrage costs on a daily basis. We decided to commence mitigation exercises and as such we had no choice and on the 25th of October, we sold the full cargo on the MT HAIMA into the Tanzanian BPS at a substantial loss. The loss would have been far much greater had additional costs been incurred moving the cargo further from Dar Es Salaam. Our performance has been demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt yet the wrongful letter from MOE dated 2nd October 2023,” stated Devon.
When contacted, Shamakamba said: ‘We will let you know., we are doing something.
