CONFLICTING reports are surfacing that the Tanzania Petroleum
Development Corporation (TPDC) Director General, Dr James Mataragio, has
been suspended by the parastatal’s Board of Directors effective
Wednesday.
Impeccable sources within the oil and gas exploration authority said Mr
Mataragio has thus fallen among the high ranking casualties of last
year's derogatory audit report by the Controller and Auditor General
(CAG).
However, as of yesterday, there has not been any official statement from
TPDC regarding the new development. But insiders suggested the
performance audit on the management of process of awarding exploration
and development contracts and licences for natural gas released by the
CAG, Professor Mussa Juma Assad, in March this year, would have cost the
renowned geoscientist dearly. "The organisation is not safe now. He
(DG) was given a suspension letter yesterday (Wednesday) and it is
because of the audit report ... the letter came from the board chairman
not the minister," sources closer to the TPDC told the ‘Daily News’,
preferring anonymity. The audit centred on reviewing how oil and gas
exploration contracts were awarded between 2010/11 and 2013/14 revealing
serious inefficient management of the contracting and licensing
process. It also found there are no adequate controls in place to ensure
that procurement in the sector complies with the relevant legislations.
Observers rushed to challenge the decision as saying Mr Mataragio was
not in office since he was appointed into the post in December 2014.
Ministry of Energy and Minerals Permanent Secretary (PS) Professor
Justin Ntalikwa told this newspaper that he was aware of the news in
circulation but declined further comment. "I am aware of the news but it
would be better if you seek clarification from our board chairman. He
might give you all the details you want since the decision also came
from the board," he told the ‘Daily News’ in a telephone interview. TPDC
Chairman Professor Sufiani Bukurura could not be reached by phone
yesterday. On his part, Mr Mataragio told the ‘Daily News’ that he was
unaware of the new decision, adding; "it happens that you are just
giving me this information." Dr Mataragio is among the few experts in
minerals, oil and natural gas in the Diaspora who volunteered to offer
free advice to the government on development of the sector. He holds a
PhD (Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Structural Geology and Petroleum
Geology), from Missouri - Rolla University, Missouri, US (2005); Masters
in Business Development (MBA), from Charlotte University, North
Caroline, US (2008); MSc (Geochemistry and Petrology), from Okinawa
University, Japan (1997); and BSc (Hons) (Geology), University of Dar es
Salaam (1994). Prior to the post, Dr Mataragio was Senior Geoscientist
with Bell Geospace Inc, Houston, Texas, US where he started working with
the firm in 2004. Among major international Gas and Oil firms he worked
with while employed by Bell Geospace include Petrobras (Brazil); BP;
Anadarko; Tullow; Pemex (Mexico); ANP (Brazil), Ecopetrol (Colombia);
Petronas (Malaysia) and Vale Rio Doce.
Ugandan socialite Zari is undeniably hot and Diamond Platnumz cannot be blamed for going kookoo for her, Besides her looks, she is also ambitious and rich. Born on 23rd of September 1980, Zari grew up in Jinja and after high school she moved Kampala where she performed karaoke in hang-outs. She later moved to London and acquired a diploma in cosmetology. She now lives in South Africa where she runs cosmetics shop while pursuing a career in music. She shared some of her never before seen photos from back in the day and she was still hot. Check her out
Post a Comment