A due diligence report has revealed a glaring Irregularities surrounding the $96 million contract awarded to Hans & Co for the decommissioning of Ghana’s Saltpond oilfield. The report highlights issues of political interference, regulatory failures, and financial mismanagement under President Akufo Addo’s administration.
In a detailed post shared on his Facebook wall, Bright Simons revealed that Hans & Co, incorporated in 2017 with a stated capital of just $2,700, was handpicked for the lucrative contract despite lacking the financial and technical credentials for such a high-stakes project. Politically exposed individuals dominated the negotiation, with a former Deputy Director of State Protocol playing a central role. Strangely, Simons revealed that one individual presented as the company’s chairman during negotiations was not listed as a Director in its incorporation documents.
“Of the four key Hans & Co personnel engaged in the contracting process, two used secondary identities. Only the Project Director, Kennedy Oham, who used to manage the Saltpond oilfield for the last operator until a massive public spat, had the remotest connection to the petroleum industry” Bright Simons revealed.
The contract aimed to seal oil wells and dismantle an aging offshore platform to prevent environmental damage and maritime hazards. However, according to Bright Simons, the scope of work remains incomplete, with the company abandoning the project after partial delivery and demanding an additional $81 million to continue.
The report also revealed critical lapses in regulatory compliance. Simons revealed that Hans & Co was not registered with the Petroleum Commission, a legal requirement for companies operating in Ghana’s oilfields. Additionally, oversight from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other marine regulators was ignored, raising concerns about environmental safety.
Further compounding the issue, TSB-Ensol, the project management firm hired to supervise the work, was sidelined due to Hans & Co’s political influence, leaving the project largely unchecked.
Bright Simons revelations have triggered widespread backlash, with calls for a full investigation into the contract award process.
Source: Bright Simons (X)
Read full report from here
https://x.com/BBSimons/status/1880408280603754581?t=vuARbYg4GIERjW-Y5Hl-dw&s=19