Drammeh confirmed that Jawara had entered into a Throughput Agreement with Gam Petroleum Storage Facility when he tendered for NAWEC’s Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) supply contract. He explained that Jawara, despite holding a licence, was not permitted to export petroleum products.
Jawara informed Drammeh that he had won a bid and been awarded the contract, a claim later confirmed by GNPC’s Managing Director. GNPC, a state-owned company, requested Drammeh’s cooperation in allowing Jawara to uplift products from Gam Petroleum for supply to GNPC.
The Fuel Supply Arrangement
Drammeh testified that Jawara initially requested 400 metric tonnes of petrol (PMS) pending the arrival of his expected shipment of 25,000 metric tonnes of petroleum product.
He said that, following pleas from GNPC officials, Gam Petroleum allowed Jawara to uplift fuel on a negative balance, with the agreement that he would replenish the supplies “litre for litre” once his shipment arrived.
“Pursuant to the agreement for the replenishment or replacement of any product supplied at the instance of the Plaintiff to GNPC litre for litre, supplies or releases were made to GNPC on the instruction of the Plaintiff,” Drammeh testified.
He added that GNPC officials later contacted him regarding the supply of 1,400 metric tonnes of diesel (AGO) and 400 metric tonnes of PMS on Jawara’s account, in fulfilment of his contractual obligations.
As General Manager, Drammeh said he ensured Gam Petroleum’s Operations Department kept accurate records of the uplifts. Since Jawara’s shipment never arrived and he failed to replenish the supplies, he was listed as a debtor on negative balance.
Drammeh stressed that he never demanded or received any personal payment from Jawara or Kebbeh, saying: “I never ever asked for any payment to me personally either in cash or otherwise and never insisted on any such payment,” he told the court.
He further emphasised that Jawara was only required to replace the products uplifted on his behalf, not to make direct payments to him.
Drammeh accused Jawara of making repeated unfulfilled promises about shipments that never materialised. He insisted that he was never arrested or detained in connection with any alleged payments.
“I have informed the Plaintiff countless times and on numerous occasions that I have never received any money from him or his agent and that he should stop scandalising my name or telling lies,” Drammeh concluded.
