CPC Board says: We are fall guys on ‘baddiesel’
blame cabinet approved committee
By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan
The ex-board of directors of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) who were ‘forced’ to resign Thursday on the issue of substandard diesel, however stated that the Cabinet appointed Tender Board and the Cabinet appointed Technical Committee should take the responsibility, and rejected the minister’s claim that they should take the rap.
The ex-board of directors of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) who were ‘forced’ to resign Thursday on the issue of substandard diesel, however stated that the Cabinet appointed Tender Board and the Cabinet appointed Technical Committee should take the responsibility, and rejected the minister’s claim that they should take the rap.
Minster of Petroleum Susil Premajayantha speaking to LAKBIAMnEWS said: “If they don’t take the responsibility, then we should appoint people who can take up responsibility.”
“None of them came forward to give an explanation but resigned, so it’s our duty to appoint a new body that will work diligently and responsibly.”
An ex-director, speaking on conditions of anonymity told LAKBIAMnEWS: “The authorities are trying to hoodwink the public by putting the blame on us. But the real story is that the Cabinet appointed Technical Evaluation Committee decides what quantity, quality, etc., we should buy according to our requirements. Thereafter the Cabinet appointed Tender Board decides from whom we should buy the oil.”
The Tender Board then instructs CPC’s Commercial Division to open a Letter of Credit from the Tender Board nominated supplier. “So we have ‘no control’ over the oil procurement and therefore cannot take the responsibility of the contaminated diesel supply in the market,” he noted.
He said that the whole procurement procedure takes place without any information being revealed to the board of directors.
“There is nothing the board can do. We do not know the quality and the quantity of oil procured and where it is coming from. Those details do not come to the board. Then why should we take the responsibility?” asked CPC’s ex-director who stepped down on Thursday.
“None of them came forward to give an explanation but resigned, so it’s our duty to appoint a new body that will work diligently and responsibly.”
An ex-director, speaking on conditions of anonymity told LAKBIAMnEWS: “The authorities are trying to hoodwink the public by putting the blame on us. But the real story is that the Cabinet appointed Technical Evaluation Committee decides what quantity, quality, etc., we should buy according to our requirements. Thereafter the Cabinet appointed Tender Board decides from whom we should buy the oil.”
The Tender Board then instructs CPC’s Commercial Division to open a Letter of Credit from the Tender Board nominated supplier. “So we have ‘no control’ over the oil procurement and therefore cannot take the responsibility of the contaminated diesel supply in the market,” he noted.
He said that the whole procurement procedure takes place without any information being revealed to the board of directors.
“There is nothing the board can do. We do not know the quality and the quantity of oil procured and where it is coming from. Those details do not come to the board. Then why should we take the responsibility?” asked CPC’s ex-director who stepped down on Thursday.
