In response to mounting concerns, the House of Representatives has opted to investigate the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) regarding alleged misconduct surrounding contract allocations, illicit forex transactions, biased Director placements, and a host of other unethical and corrupt behaviors within the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Rep. Kingsley Chinda, the House Minority leader, set the stage for the next course of action during the plenary by presenting a motion that led to the aforementioned developments.
Chinda, while proposing the motion, drew attention to various accusations of suspect contract awards, which encompassed inflated and fabricated agreements, notably in the areas of non-operational speed boats, security surveillance contracts, and the Deep Blue program.
Another area of concern raised in the motion was the issue of water contracts, revenue leakages, and the alleged favoritism in awarding contracts to associates of the Director-General and other high-ranking officials within the agency.
Chinda voiced apprehension regarding the reported underpayment of debts owed to the country by shipping firms, allegedly facilitated by the agency.
He also raised awareness about the controversial contract between the agency and XPO Marine Limited, a company that had previously defrauded the agency of $80,000.
The contract involved the monthly lease of six speed boats at a rate of $173,930, without a proper assessment conducted by the agency’s relevant departments.
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The legislator voiced doubts regarding the credibility of the ‘Deep Blue Water Contract,’ a security surveillance agreement, suggesting that the agency’s management is employing it as a mechanism to illicitly divert funds.
‘A security contract tagged National integrated Surveillance and Waterways Protection’ is also said to have been awarded to an Israeli firm, HSLI Systems and Technologies Limited at the cost of $195,300,000.00, despite an existing facility, which is a simple internet subscription via Lloyds Intelligence Platform for such operations.’
‘The fact that the agency is also said to have an existing surveillance system (called Lloyd’s List Intelligence) for tracking the movement of vessels on Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).’
‘Also the fact that there is evidence that the agency’s legal department counseled against the consummation of the contract on grounds of some fraudulent claims in the agreement, but same was not heeded to. The facilities claimed by HSLI is said to be an existing surveillance infrastructure provided by KMBTS Limited, also an lsraeli firm whose contract with the agency at the instance of the agency’s former DG had long expired.’
‘Other allegations such as abuse of office and lopsided appointment and placement of Directors of the Agency in favour of some interests to the detriment of others and in breach of S. 14(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), as well as other unwholesome practices within the Agency.’
‘Again allegations of high level corruption against the DG and top management of the agency in the form of withholding of remittable revenue by GasShipping Nigeria Limited, Daddo Marine Limited, Blue Seas Marine Services, Transocean Support Services Limited, leading to loss of huge revenue to the Federal government.’
‘Others are the award of contracts to the DG’s cronies and other top management staff of the agency in clear violation of the Procurement Act and other Financial.’
COT Engineering Limited and Well Mann Construction Company are among the companies that are required to adhere to specific regulations.
Regulatory compliance extends to companies like Retin Technical and Commercial Service Limited and Messrs. DePK Ventures Limited, alongside others.
‘Aware of alleged cases of round-tripping and under declaration of foreign exchange earnings from the agency’s foreign Accounts. These allegations are of grave nature to be swept under the carpet or dismissed with a wave of the hand, particularly as it relates to economic losses on the part of the government.’
The lawmaker stressed the pressing requirement to initiate a thorough investigation into the allegations. Failing to take prompt action would leave the Federal government vulnerable to continued substantial financial losses inflicted by an unscrupulous and fraudulent cabal, driven by their insatiable desire to drain the country of its resources.
Once the motion was adopted, the House passed a resolution to set up an Ad-hoc Committee (upon its composition) with the objective of investigating the allegations. The Committee is mandated to submit a report within 4 weeks, following which further legislative action will be pursued.