The contracting process for Petroecuador’s all-risk oil, marine civil liability and non-marine civil liability insurance policies that began on July 31, 2023 is underway, with the state oil company ensuring that each qualified insurance company can present its bid.

Both Petroecuador and the government have spoken out about this process following news reports over the weekend, “publishing audio recordings of conversations involving public officials related to the contracting process related to insurance policies.” I am sure that Petroecuador continues,” the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic announced.

First, on the afternoon of August 14, the public oil company issued a statement stating that the accounting process takes place in accordance with current legal regulations. He also showed the calendar of that process, which is available on the public procurement portal.

The schedule established that the deadline for questions was August 3 at 5:00 p.m., and the deadline for answers, in order to resolve doubts about the contracting process, was August 8 at 5:00 p.m. In the meantime, the deadline for submission of proposals is next on the calendar, which is August 23 at 5 p.m.

The opening date of the envelopes is scheduled for 18:00 on the same day, and the estimated purchase award date will be September 1 at 18:00.

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Petroecuador also clarified, in its statement, that all insurers in the sector who are duly qualified by the supervision of companies, securities and insurance, can participate and present their offers according to the mentioned calendar. “Petroecuador will continue to make processes transparent and make timely decisions that allow preventive and secure state assets,” the state-owned company said.

A recording of the alleged conversation is circulating on social networks. It alleges that an adviser to the Ministry of the Interior would pay a million-dollar bribe in exchange for the cancellation of the Petroecuador insurance tender and a six-month extension of coverage in an alleged deal with the Coordinating Society of Public Enterprises (Emco), the National Service for Public Procurement (Sercop) and the Presidency of the Republic .

After Petroecuador’s statement, the Secretariat of Communications of the Presidency reported on the “immediate actions” taken by the Government: “After learning about the press note, published on August 12, the following day the official of the Ministry was removed from his post. Government included in the audio recordings”.

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Likewise, the government minister, Henry Cucalón, pointed out: “I do not tolerate any misconduct in the public service.” While the Secretariat assured that the other persons mentioned do not work in the public sector.

In addition, this Monday, August 14, the Ministry reported this fact to the State Attorney’s Office so that it could conduct the investigation in question and ensure that the executive branch would offer cooperation throughout the process.