Petitions for the indigenous oil company House of Reps on Saipem Controers

Petroquip Nigeria Limited, an important oil service company and indigenous gases, has formally presented a petition to the House of Representatives, urges the legislators to intervene in a long -standing financial controversy with the multinational contractor, Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited.

Thursday, in a statement, the CEO of Petroquip, IPalley Lawson, invited the Chamber to convene a public audience and directly Saipem to pay a debt of $ 3.5 million, together with accrued interest.

Parliament also urged to investigate the apparent inaction of the Commission for economic and financial crimes (EFCC) despite the past results and arrests related to the matter.

“This is not just a contractual dispute: it is a serious injustice against a Nigerian company,” said Lawson.

“We trust that the Chamber will support the rule of law and guarantee responsibility.”

The petition, presented to the Committee of the Chamber for Public Petitions, includes a detailed registration of events, legal architects, contracts and EFCC documentation. Petroquip claims to be ready to provide oral testimonies in front of the Committee.

According to the company, the dispute derives from a 2008 subcontracting that obtained from Saipem, evaluated to around $ 18 million. The agreement provided for the dredging and trench operations for the installation of the Pipeline near Bonny Island.

Petroquip claims to have fulfilled its contractual obligations – including the mobilization of labor, equipment and obtaining bank loans – but Saipem presumably defaulting with payments for a total of $ 3.5 million.

The states of non -payment, oil, triggered the execution actions of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (Amcon), led to the insolvency of the company and caused losses of widespread jobs.

In presenting the petition to legislators, Lawson accused Saipem of financial exploitation and contempt for Nigerian laws.

The petition also maintains non -ethical behavior from the former Saipem subcontracting, Alessandro D’Antati, who according to what was reported requested $ 400,000 in unofficial payments, threatening the termination of the contract if the application was not satisfied.

The refusal of oil to respect, he said, led to a sudden termination of the contract.

According to reports, a 2012 EFCC survey confirmed the responsibility of Saipem, with the consequent arrest of some executives of the company.

However, Petroquip maintains that the anti-Innesto agency has since blocked further procedures, quoting extensive legal reviews.

“Saipem continues to operate in Nigeria with impunity, despite the overwhelming bad conduct tests”, concludes the petition, urging Parliament to establish guarantees that will protect indigenous companies from foreign exploitation.