Some energy sector analysts want government to come clear with the decision regarding direct negotiations with ExxonMobil over the latter’s preparations to start operations in Ghana’s oil industry.
They argue that the seeming failure by the energy minister to resort to an open bidding process to select ExxonMobil requires further scrutiny of the deal.
The concern comes with some three days to the official signing of the agreement between ExxonMobil and the government of Ghana (Thursday, January 18, 2017).
According to the Co-Chair of the Extractive Industries and Transparency Initiative, Dr Steve Manteaw, the energy minister needs to explain the basis for resorting to direct negotiations with ExxonMobil thus far, as spelt out under Section 10 of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act.
Section 10 (9) states that “Despite sub-section 3, the minister may, in consultation with the Commission, determine that a petroleum agreement may be entered into by direct negotiations without public tender where direct negotiations represent the most efficient manner to achieve optimal exploration, development and production of petroleum agreement and other defined area.”
In Dr Manteaw’s view, such a decision could flout provisions of subsection 3, which states that, “A petroleum agreement shall only be entered into after an open, transparent and competitive public tender process.”
“Of course I do not anticipate that as the negotiations are ongoing, government will be putting out the information but at least the reason for entering into direct negotiations with ExxonMobil regardless of the fact that the laws requires us to conduct competitive bidding, ought to be shared with the general public,” he explained.
News Desk