Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Rivers State Government is set to initiate criminal proceedings against Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited for alleged breach of trust, which led to abandonment of the State’s gas turbine generator unit and accessories in The Netherlands since 2012.
Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, an Italian construction and fabrication firm in the energy and infrastructure sectors, is a subsidiary of the multinational company Eni.
The decision to file criminal proceedings against Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited was taken at the 15th Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the Commissioner for Power, Damiete Herbert-Millier, explained that due to the abandonment of the gas turbine generator unit and accessories by Saipem, the Rivers state government had incurred huge loss in terms of demurrage charges and others.
“Amongst the memos considered for today’s Exco proceedings is the memo from the Rivers State Ministry of Power regarding the state owned gas turbine units and accessories, fully paid for and abandoned in Netherlands since 2012.
“And the complaints made against Saipem Contracting Nigeria Ltd and their role in the matter which has cost the Rivers State Government a huge cost in terms of dumerage and others.
“Consequently, the council unanimously directed the Attorney General of Rivers State to file criminal proceeding against Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited for her role in this ugly incident,” the commissioner said.
The State Executive Council also gave approval for the Rivers State medium term expenditure framework 2022-2024.
Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu, said the council also approved the State participation in the Federal government and Nigerian Governors’ Forum supported bridging finance support facility for subnational economies designed to cushion the impact of the repayment of the bailout.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects, Alabo George-Kelly said the council approved the award of contract for the construction of the Rivers State Magistrate Court Complex at the cost of N8.1 billion.
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