Minister In Trouble: ZPC Reveal Undenge's Hand In Wickinell Shady Deal
Published: 2016 June 01 03:42:29 (10898 Views)
Energy and Power Development Minister Dr Samuel Undenge reportedly pressured the Zimbabwe Power Company to pay Wicknell Chivayo’s Intratek Zimbabwe $5 million in the absence of a bank guarantee to protect public funds.
Chivayo yesterday admitted to receiving payment without a guarantee as specified in the contract to construct a 100 Megawatt solar plant in Gwanda.
Chivayo said it was difficult for a local company to raise a bank guarantee, hence the decision to violate the contract.
It has also emerged that the ZPC management — for five months — refused to pay Chivayo in the absence of a bank guarantee, but later succumbed to pressure from Dr Undenge.
The minister yesterday denied interference and accused management of failing to follow laid down procedures.
Chivayo yesterday sent unsolicited WhatsApp messages to this reporter admitting failure to provide a bank guarantee.
“I am a local company and how do you expect me to raise a guarantee? My Chinese partners (CHiNT Electric) will issue a guarantee for bigger figures with their eyes closed. This was just $7 million payment for pre-commencement works, they should be completed in six months. This project is also yours, but if the truth be told, you have successfully damaged it. This inevitable 100MW farm will also benefit you and your children in the future so no need to continuously fight the project.”
Clause 4.2 of the contract specifies the need for a performance bond to protect ZPC against any losses in the event Intratek Zimbabwe defaulted on the project.
The contract further specifies that ZPC will release money only after receiving an advance payment guarantee.
Chivayo gave a run-down of how the $5 million was being used at the site, but on being told that the problem was the absence of a guarantee, he responded: “I understand your point but where there is such a big contract, you both put your best effort to make the project a success.
“There is no $5 million exposure on ZPC, three quarters of that money is used and ZPC is happy. Make some time and pass by tomorrow so you understand. I won’t influence what you write but I feel you don’t understand the dynamics of an EPC project.”
Documents in possession of a local publication show that Dr Undenge ignored a red flag raised by engineers in his ministry who argued that inasmuch as the project was urgent, there was need for ZPC management to “remain professional”.
A ZPC official, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said they had refused to pay Chivayo from October last year.
“We are being attacked for following a ministerial order,” said the official.
In a letter dated November 17, 2015, an Energy and Power Development Ministry official Engineer Benson Munyaradzi (then acting permanent secretary) wrote to Zesa management advising them to remain professional.
This was after Intratek forwarded an invoice seeking payment for feasibility studies.
Wrote Eng Munyaradzi: “Of concern is the submission of an invoice by the contractor (Intratek), who has yet to submit the studies. If ZPC is paying for the work, then they should be in full control of the whole process, to the extent of engaging own consultant who is independent of the contractor. As much as (we) urgently need to implement this project, we should not compromise on our professionalism. Let us do the right things and not exacerbate the somehow flowed (sic) procurement process further.”
Dr Undenge chairs a meeting with Zesa officials every Monday.
The ZPC board, which was by-passed on the issue, meets once every quarter of the year.
- Herald
Chivayo yesterday admitted to receiving payment without a guarantee as specified in the contract to construct a 100 Megawatt solar plant in Gwanda.
Chivayo said it was difficult for a local company to raise a bank guarantee, hence the decision to violate the contract.
It has also emerged that the ZPC management — for five months — refused to pay Chivayo in the absence of a bank guarantee, but later succumbed to pressure from Dr Undenge.
The minister yesterday denied interference and accused management of failing to follow laid down procedures.
Chivayo yesterday sent unsolicited WhatsApp messages to this reporter admitting failure to provide a bank guarantee.
“I am a local company and how do you expect me to raise a guarantee? My Chinese partners (CHiNT Electric) will issue a guarantee for bigger figures with their eyes closed. This was just $7 million payment for pre-commencement works, they should be completed in six months. This project is also yours, but if the truth be told, you have successfully damaged it. This inevitable 100MW farm will also benefit you and your children in the future so no need to continuously fight the project.”
Clause 4.2 of the contract specifies the need for a performance bond to protect ZPC against any losses in the event Intratek Zimbabwe defaulted on the project.
The contract further specifies that ZPC will release money only after receiving an advance payment guarantee.
Chivayo gave a run-down of how the $5 million was being used at the site, but on being told that the problem was the absence of a guarantee, he responded: “I understand your point but where there is such a big contract, you both put your best effort to make the project a success.
“There is no $5 million exposure on ZPC, three quarters of that money is used and ZPC is happy. Make some time and pass by tomorrow so you understand. I won’t influence what you write but I feel you don’t understand the dynamics of an EPC project.”
Documents in possession of a local publication show that Dr Undenge ignored a red flag raised by engineers in his ministry who argued that inasmuch as the project was urgent, there was need for ZPC management to “remain professional”.
A ZPC official, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said they had refused to pay Chivayo from October last year.
“We are being attacked for following a ministerial order,” said the official.
In a letter dated November 17, 2015, an Energy and Power Development Ministry official Engineer Benson Munyaradzi (then acting permanent secretary) wrote to Zesa management advising them to remain professional.
This was after Intratek forwarded an invoice seeking payment for feasibility studies.
Wrote Eng Munyaradzi: “Of concern is the submission of an invoice by the contractor (Intratek), who has yet to submit the studies. If ZPC is paying for the work, then they should be in full control of the whole process, to the extent of engaging own consultant who is independent of the contractor. As much as (we) urgently need to implement this project, we should not compromise on our professionalism. Let us do the right things and not exacerbate the somehow flowed (sic) procurement process further.”
Dr Undenge chairs a meeting with Zesa officials every Monday.
The ZPC board, which was by-passed on the issue, meets once every quarter of the year.
- Herald
0
You May Like These Videos
WATCH: Victims Narrate Ordeal After Being Clobbered By Riot Cops
FLASHBACK: Morgan Tsvangirai Won't Resign Despite Illness 
Police Violently Beat Harare Protesters 
Zimbabwean Man Who Was Shot By Tswana Employer Appeals For HelpComments
There are no comments.
Get Zim Metro Updates Alerts
Big Reads
Schoolgirl drops out after continuous 'sexual abuse' by teacher
by Staff Reporter | 2019 August 13 07:42:33
Mugabe Knows Nothing About The Zimbabwe Constitution: MP
by Staff Reporter | 2016 October 01 08:12:02
Zim's Protesting Graduates Risk Losing Degrees For Expressing Anger Against Mugabe
by Staff Reporter | 2016 October 01 07:57:08
Troubled Harare Giants Dynamos Falls Into Another Deep Crisis
by Own Correspondent | 2016 October 01 07:49:17
Grace Mugabe Grovels At Mnangagwa, Says I Did Not Ask Ubaba To Fire You
by Staff Reporter | 2016 October 01 07:31:48
Mugabe Attacks Mawarire, Claims The Exiled Pastor Failed To Divide Zimbabwe
by Staff Reporter | 2016 October 01 07:19:13
Shock As Local Bank Denies 'Rich' Mugabe's Son Heifty Credit
by Own Correspondent | 2016 September 30 19:14:54Trouble For Police Officers Who Have Been Mercilessly Bludgeoning Protesters
by Staff Reporter | 2016 October 01 07:20:19
Mugabe "Home Coming" And "Thank You" Rally On Cards
by Own Correspondent | 2016 September 23 06:48:24
Prof Moyo Was Dumped By Western Embassies, Claims Mutsvangwa
by Staff Reporter | 2016 September 22 10:08:07Broke RBZ Tracks Down Zimbabweans Living Outside The Country Over Taxi
by Staff Reporter | 2016 September 22 09:16:20
You Are Too Old To Lead, Aging Zim President Mugabe Told
by Own Correspondent | 2016 September 22 07:19:25
Anti-Corruption Commission Loses Property In Failed Probe
by Own Correspondent | 2016 September 20 03:18:19
.jpg)
SHOCKING:14 Year Old HIV-Positive Boy Rapes 7 Pupils
by Own Correspondent | 2016 September 20 00:04:55
