PS snubs PAC on failed power station

Staff Writer | Thursday June 6, 2013 00:00

 

The 600 MW project, which has been delayed has cost P11 billion to build. Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee yesterday, Paya avoided the question asked by committee members several times before finally admitting that he was unable to answer the question.First to ask the question was Kanye South MP Kentse Rammidi who asked Paya to confirm or deny the allegations that were widely reported in the media. He responded saying that he was only aware of the media reports and DCEC investigation into the matter.

'I am aware of the media reports and I know there was an investigation by the DCEC and the allegations were cleared,' said Paya. Rammidi then pressed Paya further to answer the question: 'I don't think anyone is saying the issue related to the advise from the ambassador had anything to do with corruption, the issue is, did the ambassador advise the government or not?' queried Rammidi.At that point, PAC Chairman Nehemiah Modubule intervened and asked Paya: 'It seems you are not willing to commit. The question is whether or not the ambassador advised you against awarding the tender to that company?' Paya finally responded: 'I am unable to answer that question,'Paya's non-committal gesture will seem to give credence to the allegations that former Chinese ambassador to Botswana, Ding advised government that of the two Chinese state-owned companies that were bidding for the contract, only Dongfang Electric was competent to carry out a project of that magnitude.

CNEEC was to have delivered the 4 x 150MW Power Plant by October 2012. However, eight months after the initial completion date, only two units are working at Morupule B.Meanwhile, BPC CEO Jacob Raleru refuted allegations that the Corporation ignored advise from the Directorate of intelligence and Security on the power project.'I am not aware of any advise from the DIS. The project started in 2007 and the tender was awarded the next year. As far as I am aware, the DIS was not in existence at that time,' said Raleru.