By Onuora Aninwobodo
The House of Representatives investigative Committee says there are clear infractions on the part of Exxon Mobil over its new service procedures for procurement and award of catering contracts.
The investigative committee made this known after listening to the Exxon Mobil Executive Director Financial services and some members of Indigenous catering contractors of Nigeria.
The Multinational Oil services company was given 2 weeks to submit all documents in defence of their submissions and directed them to stop all processes pertaining to the contract.
Chairman of the Investigative committee, Legor Idagbo said the committee is on a mission to ensure that Nigerian catering contractors are not victimized as a result of the oil company policy, as it has been alleged that the decision is tailored toward favoring a particular company.
Representatives of the Indigenous catering contractors, Ibanga Ifeoma and Ekemini Obot said that the new Company policy for the award of the contracts had already placed them at a disadvantaged position, as they cannot meet the requirements.
Some members of the Committee frowned at the nonappearance of the Group General Manager of the company and some of the submissions made by the company.
Exxon Mobil Executive Director Financial services, Olusegun Banwo said that the company followed all the global best practices to arrive at their decision.
Mr Banwo said it is difficult for the company to stop the contract process, because it involves 3 companies.
The Committee is investigating a petition accusing Exxon Mobil of deliberate effort to deny indigenous catering contractors the opportunity to provide services for the company, in violation of the content Act.