Parliament To Direct Zesa To Cancel Chivayo Energy Deals, To Reclaim US$5m Advance
Controversial businessman, Wicknell Chivayo, may soon be facing tough times after reports that Parliament is planning to pass a motion to direct the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) to cancel all energy deals awarded to the businessman’s Intratek company. The parliamentarians also want ZPC, a subsidiary of Zesa Holdings, to make the businessman pay back the US$5 million which was awarded to Chivayo in controversial circumstances after sacked former Energy Minister Samuel Undenge directed ZPC to make the payment.
If the parliamentarians are successful, Chivayo may lose out as much as US$684 million in potential revenue on the following energy tenders he had been awarded:
- US$200 million Gwanda Solar Project
- US$ 73 million Harare Power Station Refurbishment
- US$163 million Munyati Power Station Restoration
- US$248 million Gairezi Power Project
After winning the tender to build the Gwanda solar project, Chivayo was unable to start the project despite receiving an upfront payment of US$5 million before commencing any work after instructions from Undenge. Despite receiving the money, no progress was made on the project resulting in the Zimbabwe Power Company taking over the management of the project. The ZPC later announced that the project has been contracted to another entity.
A parliamentarian who spoke to The Independent said:
We will summon ZPC to parliament so that the explain how they issued Chivayo the energy contracts and also urge the power company to make sure that Chivayo pays back the US$5 million.
More: The Independent
