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Beyond The Kokoma Dance …Who Ordered Sale Of $5.3bn NIPP Goods?
Since the two chambers of the Nigerian National Assembly, commenced inquiries into the laughable sales of 17 containers load of hi-tech electrical equipment valued at a whopping $5.3billion, early this month, the much tax-payers have been treated to are the less pleasurable steps of Kokoma Dance. Like its Western ballroom kind, this type was very popular after the Civil War uptill the late 70’s backwards without necessarily exiting the dance arena.
But it was later considered less fanciful to other more athletic dance forms like the legendary Pop King, Michael Jackson’s Moon Walk, MC Hammer’s Dancehall steps and on Nigerian soil the admixture of highlife and pioru introduced to afro-funk by the duo of Daddy Sokey and Baba Frio of the Denge Pose music genre.
That is why it’s most amusing that a serious issue as the auctioning of 17 containers of electrical equipment meant for the establishment of power plants to increase supply to the Federal Government’s national electrification programme, should attract answers from key players that smacks off Kokoma , one step forward, two backwards.
The facts of the case are simple. As far back as 2007, government placed order for the purchase of electrical equipment at a cost of $5.3billion and which arrived the country in 17 large containers. But rather than clear such goods belonging to the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) and the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), they were left at the ports till 2009 when they were allegedly auctioned.
Now, the questions to which both the Senate and the House of Representatives along with other Nigerians seek urgent answers are: Why? Who sold the goods and to whom? Why? Who authorised the sales? Why? Who was expected to clear the goods but didn’t? Why? Now, where are the goods? Why so? There are simple questions the Nigerian Customs Service, officials of the NIPP, PHCN and the Ministry charged with the purchase of such goods should provide simple answers to.
For that purpose, the National Assembly had invited all concerned to explain their roles in the scam but the outcome has been everything but honourable. Yet, all concerned are supposedly, honourable men.
First, who auctioned the goods? The auctioneer? To this question alone, there are two different answers from two different key players. Managing Director of the NIPP, Mr John Olotu who indeed blew the lid off the scam, had in a petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP),Mr Afiz Ringim alleged that the equipment were sold to one auctioneer who lived at No 6 Godwin Lane, Woji, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, But who is he?
On his part, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr A. J. Atte who stood in for his boss, Mr Inde Dikko Abdullahi, said to be in Vietnam for training stated that the buyer of the containers was one Johnson Adewusi of 17 Herbert Macaulay Way, Lagos on April 20, 2009.
Now, were the 17 containers bought by the same Adewusi of 17 Herbert Macaulay or the unknown auctioneer of Woji in Port Harcourt? Or is it the same auctioneer using two different addresses in Lagos and Port Harcourt?
However, in Olotu’s petition which was read by the Senate Committee Chairman on Power, Senator Philip Aduda last week Tuesday, the inquiry heard that the goods which were allegedly purchased at US$5.3billion were sold at give-away prices.
But why did it take the NIPP boss uptill now to blow up the lid of a scam perpetrated since 2009? What did he do to bring the action to the court of public opinion as he has done now? What else is he not telling us?
Not amused by the lack of answers to many more questions, the Senate Committee had last Tuesday, given the Customs seven days, within which to retrieve all the 17 containers, it was believed to have auctioned.
But this appears most unlikely, even as the deadline expires tomorrow, in view of allusions made by the Deputy Comptroller-General, when he took his turn before the Senate Committee same day. In his account, Mr Atte had on behalf of his boss told the hearing, “ no man in his sanity would go and auction government’s property of the magnitude and importance of power plant equipment without express permission of Mr President and Commander – In –Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces”.
If by Mr President, Atte means, the incumbent, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan then, the Presidency needs to tell Nigerians why? But if approval was given before his tenure, President Jonathan needs to ask the right questions now and give Nigerians all the answers.
While Nigerians await that outcome, it is important that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, explains to Nigerians why the containers containing such vital national needs like power, not second hand clothes, should be abandoned in the ports for three years until they were sold in 2009
In giving the directive, the Senate Committee Chairman described as irresponsible and frustrating, the attitude of (some) government’s establishments and directed all key players in the scam to forward names and ranks of those involved in the illicit sales, for necessary sanctions. The Committee also directed all relevant departments to meet and brainstorm over pending containers at the country’s various ports and articulate relevant solutions on how to clear them in good time to avoid repeat of auctioning of the equipment.
The question is what happens to the Customs and other accomplices at the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum given them by the Senate to retrieve all the sold equipment? As usual, will Nigerians simply look the other way and pray, not again?
It is indeed a national disgrace, that sensitive as electricity power needs are to Nigeria and Nigerians, to manufacturing concerns and attendant job creation initiatives, to healthcare, education, industry and commerce among all others, that equipment valued at 5.3billion dollars, about N821.5 billion should be wasted the way it has.
Even more unacceptable is the fact that until these inquiries by the National Assembly, the facts were kept a guarded secret as if the items sold were sour grapes smuggled into the country as contraband. And to think that the equipment would not have boosted electricity supply and save government all the negative comments about unseriousness on matters that directly touch the citizenry is most unfortunate.
This is why Dr Okonji-Iweala as Finance Minister must tell Nigerians what went wrong, even if she might not have been directly responsible at the time. But government is a continuum and so it behoves her to ask the right questions and tell Nigerians what they need to know about the saga.
But I have a worry. The Senate’s ultimatum to Customs to retrieve the sold goods was widely publicised since last Wednesday, just as the Customs’ claim that auctioning the containers was duly authorised by Mr President and Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
That being the case, why has the Presidency kept mum? Does this silence mean consent to the allegation? I hope not because if it turns out to be so, it will even be more unfortunate considering the fact that power has since the commencement of the Yar’Adua/Jonathan presidency been an ample part of the seven-point agenda.
And to allow such over sight, either by omission or commission would be a disservice to the land and the people’s hope of a better Nigeria under President Jonathan’s watch.
Mr Agony is that auctioned goods are like the wings of a butterfly, once touched, they never remain the same. The option? All those found culpable on the long run should be made to reproduce the sold items or replace them. Period. No more, no less.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.