Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has filed a new petition calling on the Senate to have all agreements relating to the proposed Lamu oil refinery, spearheaded by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, made public.

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In a request for a statement filed under Standing Order 53(1) and dated Friday, October 2, Sifuna asked the Senate Standing Committee on Energy to demand the release of all records relating to the project.

He based his request on Article 35(3) of the Constitution, which requires the State to publish and publicise important information affecting the nation.

“In the statement, the Committee should require production of ALL records pertaining to the Dangote refinery project under Article 35(3) of the Constitution of Kenya,” Sifuna stated in part.

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The Equitable Party (TEP) leader stressed that, being one of the biggest projects under the current administration, the refinery should be laid before the nation well before construction begins in Lamu County.

Beyond the agreements, Sifuna wants the committee to explain what public participation was conducted before the project was approved and the concerns raised by local communities.

He also wants details on how the project will be financed and the implementation model to be used, including the amount that will be funded by Kenyan taxpayers and the source of the money.

“The Committee should state the project's financing and implementation model, indicating how much the Kenyan taxpayer will foot and the source of funds for this allocation,” Sifuna added.

Sifuna has further called for a value-for-money analysis covering any investment made in the project on behalf of Kenyans, as justification for the expenditure.

On ownership, the senator wants the committee to provide a list of the beneficial owners of the special purpose vehicle behind the project, as well as all companies involved in its implementation.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke