Former Petroleum PS testifies on petroleum US$30M saga

During her marathon testimony before the said committees, the former permanent secretary sidestepped the committee questions.

Further testifying, she said: “I acted as a mediator between the ministry's sectors, and state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and also held roles as an executive, board controller and administrative head of the ministry.”

She maintained that she served as the key adviser to the petroleum minister in the formulation of policies which is informed by decisive decision-making.

Quizzed about the ministry’s new policy on petroleum products and stakeholder consultation, she added: “When it comes to policy formulation, I don’t think it's necessary to involve the stakeholders at that stage,” she emphasised

The urgency of the issue, she went on, “has often prevented broader consultation. Therefore, as stakeholders, I have tried to prioritize consultation. However, we often need to work quickly with a view to prevent another fuel crisis.”

Further asked whether she opposed any policy being formulated by the ministry, she responded in the affirmative, adding: “However, I do involve and consult some experts from the Ministry of Justice and other colleagues.” 

Nevertheless, she was quick to add that “she has not involved in any consultations or the formulation of policies on this matter.”

In response to a question from nominated member, Hon. Kebba Lang Fofana about whether it was permissible for the Minister to conduct consultations on policy formulation without the presence of an adviser, she responded: “It was not an issue.” 

Further testifying, she said: “I have not come across any documents indicating how policies should be formulated at the said ministry.”

Former PS Njie stated: “I don't shy away from my responsibilities as an adviser, whether they are taken or not. However, in this particular instance, I was not informed thus you can’t hold that against me.”

On the issue of the haulage facility being given to Apogee without informing or prioritising other Oil Marketing Companies (OMC), she said: “During one of our stakeholders’ meeting, the issue of Apogee was brought to our attention by Jah Oil Company. We therefore invited the OMCs together with the PS Gam-Petroleum in order for us to discuss the matter.”

During the meeting, PS Njie-Jobe said: “Jah Oil Company told them that 80% of haulage was given to Apogee in June of 2023 taking into account that their tax was ending from April to June.”

This, she continued, was also due to the fact that “none of the OMCs was doing business with Gam-Petroleum. Therefore, having to wait one or two months with empty storage was going to be lapsed, hence that was why they gave it to Apogee.”

Concluding, she claimed: “I have never had interaction with Apogee, Ultimate Beige Logistics or Creed Energy. As far as the ministry is concerned, these companies were not registered.”

Asked whether she knew about the fine imposed on Apogee and their refusal to pay based on the policy, she added: “The ministry was aware of the fine. However, they were never  informed by PURA that Apogee refused to pay.”