NEWS
House Of Reps Launch Investigation Into NIMASA
The Nigerian House of Representatives has decided to launch an investigation into allegations of fictitious contract awards, mismanagement of large sums of money, and biased appointment of directors within the Nigerian Maritime Administration And Safety Agency (NIMASA).
This decision was reached after Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers) and five other representatives presented a motion on the matter during a session in Abuja on Wednesday.
During the motion, Rep. Chinda raised concerns about various allegations of questionable, inflated, and fictitious contract awards, specifically related to non-operational speed boats, security surveillance contracts, and the Deep Blue Water Contract.
According to the lawmaker, these actions have resulted in revenue losses and the granting of contracts to close associates of the agency’s director-general and other high-ranking officials.
In addition, he expressed concerns regarding the alleged failure to remit debts owed to the country by shipping firms, which was purportedly done with the knowledge and cooperation of the agency.
Mr. Chinda further highlighted that the agency had reportedly engaged in a highly questionable contract with a company called XPO Marine Limited. This contract involved the leasing of six speed boats at a monthly rate of $173,930 per boat, without conducting a proper needs assessment.
Furthermore, he pointed out that XPO Marine Ltd had previously been implicated in defrauding the agency of $80,000 in revenue.
The lawmaker also cast doubt on the integrity of the security surveillance contract known as the “Deep Blue Water Contract,” suspecting it to be a channel utilized by the agency’s management for embezzling funds.
Moreover, the lawmaker revealed that a security contract named “National Integrated Surveillance and Waterways Protection” had been awarded to an Israeli company called HSLI Systems and Technologies Limited.
According to him, this contract was valued at $195,300,000.00, despite the availability of a more cost-effective alternative an internet subscription through Lloyd’s Intelligence Platform for similar operations.
The agency was also reported to possess an existing surveillance system known as Lloyd’s List Intelligence, which is utilized for monitoring vessel movements within Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The lawmaker said “I am aware of allegations of high-level corruption against the DG and top management of the agency in the form of withholding of remittable revenue by Gas Shipping Nigeria Limited, Daddo Marine Ltd, among others,”
In response to the motion, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted it and established an ad hoc committee to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations mentioned.
The committee has been tasked with completing its findings and submitting a report within a four-week timeframe.
The Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and Civil Society Partners (CSP), have revealed that the abduction of the General Editor of FirstNews newspapers, Segun Olatunji, has been referred to the national ombudsman for adjudication.
According to a statement jointly signed by President, Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN)/President, Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), Mal. Kabiru A. Yusuf, and elected officers of the other media bodies in Nigeria, following pressure from the concerned groups, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), requested a meeting with the NPO, BON and the CSP on April 14, 2024.
The statement disclosed that the military authorities said that they acted to forestall a potential threat to national security and would have reported the matter to the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC) – The National Media Ombudsman – if they had been aware of its existence.
After considering this disposition towards the Ombudsman, the NPO, BON and the CSP have decided after reviewing the outcome of the April 14 meeting, to refer the matter to the Ombudsman for adjudication.
The report of the Ombudsman process would be made public.
We hope that the parties concerned will seize this opportunity to settle the matter in the interest of law, order and respect for the provisions of Nigeria’s constitution.
Besides, the specific issue of Olatunji, the group condemns the increasing militarisation of the civic space, which has seen increasing use of excessive force by soldiers in matters that would have ordinarily be handled by the police.
The House of Representatives has taken decisive action in response to the widespread shortage of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly referred to as petrol, by summoning the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
This move follows a motion of urgent public importance introduced by Shehu Ajilo, the representative for Makarfi/Kudan Federal Constituency, during Tuesday’s plenary session.
While President Bola Tinubu currently holds the position of Minister of Petroleum Resources, and Heineken Lokpobiri serves as Minister of State (Petroleum Resources), the specific minister summoned was not disclosed by the lawmakers.
Lawmakers anticipate receiving a briefing from the Minister regarding the fuel crisis, along with proposed measures to tackle the issue effectively.
Details later.. . .. . .
A tumultuous scene unfolded during the Senate’s return to plenary on Tuesday, marked by a heated altercation among senators over seating arrangements in the recently refurbished chamber.
Commencing around 11 am, the plenary commenced with the customary procession, followed by Senate President GodsWill Akpabio’s announcements, including recognition of lawmakers whose birthdays occurred during the recess.
Tensions escalated when Senator Sahabi Yau (APC, Zamfara North) engaged in a vocal exchange with Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), with finger-pointing gestures exchanged between the two.
Subsequently, Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) joined Yau in confronting Bamidele and Senate Services chairman Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) regarding the seating arrangements.
Reports indicate that the dispute stemmed from discontent among senior senators regarding their seating positions, particularly those allocated seats in the front row on the far right side of the aisle.
In an attempt to restore order, the Senate President called for senators to address their grievances individually, yet Yau refused to comply, prolonging the tumultuous session for approximately 20 minutes.
Following the Senate President’s address, the Senate leader proposed a resolution to convene a closed-door session, which was subsequently approved.
At approximately 12:05 pm, the Senate transitioned into an executive session.
The Senate had adjourned plenary on March 20 until April 16, with resumption postponed twice to accommodate the completion of renovations on the chamber, which had been ongoing since 2022.
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