Reps probe NIMASA over $492m contract scam

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The House of Representatives is investigating alleged award of fictitious contracts and diversion of $492 million at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Umar Bargo (APC, Sokoto) said the probe would seek to unravel leakage of over $286m, deep water security surveillance contracts worth $196m to HLS International; and $10m head office renovation contracts by NIMASA.

“There have been petitions over fictitious and questionable contracts awarded by NIMASA for non-operational speed boats, security surveillance, revenue leakages, suspicious forex transactions and cronyism, which made us to embark on this investigative hearing,” he said.

The Director General of NIMASA, Mr. Dakuku Peterside, who was represented by the Executive Director, Maritime Governance, Mr Gambo Ahmed, admitted that the agency awarded contracts for the security surveillance of Nigeria’s territorial waters and renovation of its head office but said due process was followed.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who was represented by the Director of Procurement, Mallam Shehu Aliyu, told the lawmakers that all contracts awarded by the agency followed due process and were in the interests of Nigeria.

The Nigerian Head of the Isreali-owned HLS International, Tai Prector said the contracts awarded to his firm were open and transparent.

He said they had been protecting Nigerian waterways along the Gulf of Guinea, using high powered satellites, helicopters and speed boats against the menace of piracy, human trafficking and illegal fishing.

The Committee later adjourned sitting to a date yet to be announced.

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