N255m car deal: My story, by Stella Oduah
on October 24, 2013 at 2:35 am in News

By ENYIM ENYIM
ABUJA—Embattled Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, who is facing separate probe panels set up by President Goodluck Jonathan as well as the National Assembly over the purchase of N255 million armoured cars has written the president to explain her side of the story.

The President on Tuesday issued query to her to explain her role in the purchase of the armoured cars.

In her response which Vanguard obtained exclusively, the minister said procurement of the cars followed due process and was provided for in the NCAA 2013 budget.

Defence

In her defence titled: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ON THE PROCUREMENT OF NCAA OPERATIONAL VEHICLES, she wrote: “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, is the statutory regulator of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Industry.


Aviation Minister, Ms. Stella Oduah

Consequently, the NCAA is charged with oversight responsibilities over all civil aviation operations in the country, including safety, security and strict compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, SARPs, and Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, NCARs.

2. Towards the effective implementation of its statutory regulatory responsibilities, therefore, it is imperative that the NCAA is fully equipped with highly specialised tools and facilities, including adequate operational vehicles to cover all 22 national airports and over 400 airstrips. In keeping with standard practice, provision is therefore made annually for the replacement of obsolete, inadequate and unreliable monitoring equipment.

3.In the 2013 budgetary appropriation, provision was made for the procurement of specialised equipment (including operational vehicles) to complement and in some cases replace obsolete ones.

Furthermore, the fact that NCAA, as the regulator of the industry, often plays host to dignitaries from ICAO, IATA, US FAA, AFRAA, AFCAC BAGASO, CANSO, ACI and a host of others makes it necessary to have specialised operational vehicles.

4.With regard to the procurement of additional operational vehicles (including BMW Security Vehicles), the following due process was observed:

(I) By letter dated April 15, 2013, NCAA officially requested authorisation from the Federal Ministry of Aviation to procure 56 operational vehicles through lease financing. This option was proposed to the ministry to enable the NCAA make 36 monthly payments based on receipts from Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.

Approval

The Ministry therefore granted due approval.

(ii)Based on the ministry’s approval, the NCAA invited Expressions of Interest from all Banks in Nigeria for the financing of the said vehicles. EOI was adopted because the procurement is two sided. First, the financier would have to be selected before the supplier is determined. This is in line with procurement best practices.

(iii) On May 24, 2013, the response received from the various banks to the Expression of Interest, EOI, request was opened publicly and minutes of the opening exercise was duly documented. During the EOI opening exercise, NCAA got commendation from one of the Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, approved by BPP who were invited for the opening exercise.

(iv) The evaluation of the expression of interests was held on May 31, 2013 during which First Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc and Stanbic IBTC emerged most responsive. On the June 10, 2013 the above three banks were invited to submit Financial Proposals. Thereafter, First Bank emerged the highest rated responsive bidder.

(v)Between June 20 and 25, 2013, invoices were received from various accredited motor vehicle dealers during which only Coscharis Motors Limited quoted for BMW Security Vehicles.

Tenders Board

(vi) On June 28, 2013, NCAA Parastatal Tenders Board approved the selection of First Bank Ltd for the Lease Financing as well as Metropolitan Motor Vehicles and Coscharis for the supply of the vehicles. All necessary approvals were duly sought and obtained accordingly.

(vii) Between July 8, 2013 to August, 12, 2013 various meetings were held with First Bank Ltd, contract agreement was signed and necessary documentation executed.

Your Excellency is respectfully invited to note:

(i) The crucial statutory role of the NCAA in regulating civil aviation operations in the country, including safety, security and strict compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs).

(ii) The need for NCAA to be fully equipped with highly specialized tools and facilities (including operational vehicles) to enable the effective implementation of its statutory functions.

(iii) The procurement of specialized operational vehicles is duly provided for in the NCAA 2p 13 (IGR) Budget and the need for adopting instalmental lease payments over36rionths.

(iii) That Due Process was followed in the procurement of the said operational vehicles.

Please your Excellency my continued loyally and esteemed regards.

Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, OON, Honourable Minister.

SOURCE: VANGUARD

She was silent on the cost which happens to be the major concern of Nigerians and other observers.

arowolobioyinbo: She was silent on the cost which happens to be the major concern of Nigerians and other observers.

What do you want her to say about the cost.
Tenders where recieved and only one of the responding vendors tendered for security vehicle, is either you agree to their cost or you negotiate with them if you really want the vehicles.

Problem (re)solved.

The BMWs were purchased on lease from a monopolist company.

Now the 'activists' can either get back to addressing weightier matters, for instance:
How come Fasola's 3 cars cost N200m apiece, although the complete funds were available upfront.

Or, they could Bit.ch, Mutiny, and Whine (OMG, BMW!) till Thy Kingdom Come

As an aside, Princess Oduah, "If you see me passing by, don't be shy to say Hi" like my Poko Baby aka Tontoh Dikeh, would say.

If what she says is true and due process was followed in procurement of the vehicles, then can she sue Sahara reporters for libel? She can even add Nairaland to the suit.

ogb5: If what she says is true and due process was followed in procurement of the vehicles, then can she sue Sahara reporters for libel? She can even add Nairaland to the suit.

NL?

Jeez, man, that's mean.
Seun Osewa has his own faults, but take a look at his picture again; he's like a lamb with beady, fiery, imploring eyes--that's kinda hott.

Heh heh heh.

The probe of the procurement should still be done. Not as a witch hunt to catch her but to learn from it.

Since only one vendor responded to the tender request for Security vehicles, they should have re-advertised the tender request to allow for better response. the tender procedure need to changed so that in cases of single tenders then the process should be expanded.

If after expanding the tender process and they still get single response then they can invoke the single tender process that call for greater scrutiny and bargaining to get the best deal.

are you guys crazy or what? every thief has an explanation. so because she wrote this she should be pardoned. he he he. so if she buys a laptop for 2 billion Naira it becomes non-issue as long as it followed due process and appropriated for? what about the fraud of contract splitting and inflation?
she should rot in gaol otherwise known as jail!!!! onyiara

ogb5: The probe of the procurement should still be done. Not as a witch hunt to catch her but to learn from it.

Since only one vendor responded to the tender request for Security vehicles, they should have re-advertised the tender request to allow for better response. the tender procedure need to changed so that in cases of single tenders then the process should be expanded.

If after expanding the tender process and they still get single response then they can invoke the single tender process that call for greater scrutiny and bargaining to get the best deal.

I agree the probe should go on. In fact, the opposition won't settle for less.

To address your other concern, several vendors responded, but only Coscharis listed the BMWs

v)Between June 20 and 25, 2013, invoices were received from various accredited motor vehicle dealers during which only Coscharis Motors Limited quoted for BMW Security Vehicles.

Hmn, STELLA, STELLA, STELLA ... How many times did i call you? Hmn...forgiven, go and sin no more.

passion007:

I agree the probe should go on. In fact, the opposition won't settle for less.

To address your other concern, several vendors responded, but only Coscharis listed the BMWs

why do have the purchasing and procurement depts? to find the true value/cost of goods before they are bought, to regulate against overinflated costs

Authority stealing!

You be thief (I no be thief)
You be rogue (I no be rogue)
You dey steal (I no dey steal)
You be robber (I no be robber)
You be armed robber (No be armed robber)

I no be thief (You be thief)
I no be rogue (You be rogue)
I no dey steal (You dey steal)
I no be robber (You be robber)
I no be armed robber (You be armed robber)

[Chorus]
Argument, argument!

Argument, argument, argue
Them argue
Everbody dem argue
Them dem dem argue
Up and down them argue
Everbody dem argue
Them dem dem dem argue
Yes yes, them argue
Everbody dem argue

Argument about stealing
Somebody don take something
Wey belong to another person

Then you go hear:
You be thief (I no be thief)...

On top of the road, on the side
People dey waka
Office workers, labourer workers, workers' workers
Them go dey waka
Inside bus them go dey
Motorcycle them dey ride
Plenty, plenty crowd
Inside this crowd
Sometimes for one corner
Sometimes for one street
You go dey hear: ha ha!

[Chorus]
Thief, thief, thief!
Rogue, rogue, rogue!
Robber, robber!

Catch am, catch am! Thief, thief, thief!
Catch am, catch am! Rogue, rogue, rogue!
Catch am, catch am! Robber, robber!
Catch am
Pull am
Get am
Keep am
Ole...

[Chorus]
Catch am, catch am!

Looking go start
Watching go start
Chasing go start
Somebody go dey
Wey them go grab

Them go beat am well-well
Them go lynch am well-well
Police go come well-well
Them go carry am go court
Them go put am for jail

Them fit put am six months
(Them go put am for one year)
Them fit put am two years
(Them go put am for five years)
Them fit put am seven years
(Them go put am for ten years)

If not them go shoot am well
Them go shoot am for armed robbery
On top of the road, on the side
People dey waka
Office workers, labourer workers, workers' workers

Them go dey try
To try to make ends meet
Them go dey hustle
To try to make ends meet
Them go put hands for back
To try to make ends meet
Them go dey beg oga
To try to make ends meet
Them go be slaves for them town
To try to make ends meet

I say turn your face small
To the right wing
Oga patapata dey for there
Authority people dey for there
Instead of workers
We have officials
Instead of buses
Them dey ride motor-car
Instead of motorcycle
Na helicopter
Instead of them waka
Na worker go waka for them

Authority people them go dey steal
Public contribute plenty money
Na authority people dey steal
Authority man no dey pickpocket
Na petty cash him go dey pick
Armed robber him need gun
Authority man him need pen
Authority man in charge of money
Him no need gun, him need pen
Pen got power gun no get
If gun steal eighty thousand naira
Pen go steal two billion naira

[Chorus]
Thief, thief thief!
Rogue, rogue, rogue!
Robber, robber!

You no go hear them shout
You no go hear them shout at all
You no go hear them say
You no go hear them say response at all

Na different way be them way
Na civilize style be them style

[Chorus]
Yes, yes, yes, yes!

"Oh yes, of course, contract, have some money back in hand, ha ha"
Hear the words them dey take deceive the people:

Misappropriation
Maladministration
Nepotism
Mitigation
Make I remember another one wey them dey use
Defraudment
Forgerylization
Embezzlement
Vilification
Mismanagement
Public inquiry

Authority stealing pass armed robbery
We Africans we must do something about this nonsense
We say we must do something about this nonsense
I repeat, we Africans we must do something about this nonsense
Because now authority stealing pass armed robbery

Authority man him go dey steal
Public contribute plenty money...

[Chorus]
Authority stealing!

That was a long time ago but it's much like a memento we all cannot forget. Well all I have to tell fela is that Nigerians will not do anything about the nonsense because authority stealing has been tribalized and every persons in politics now have gullible followers who are willing to die for them when they are caught in the act.

Stella oduah is definitely one of the persons you saw when you released this song. May your soul rest in peace and your music continue to enlighten us about the problems of the past that is runing the present.

bigass: are you guys crazy or what? every thief has an explanation. so because she wrote this she should be pardoned. he he he. so if she buys a laptop for 2 billion Naira it becomes non-issue as long as it followed due process and appropriated for? what about the fraud of contract splitting and inflation?
she should rot in gaol otherwise known as jail!!!! onyiara

Must you insult others?
What contract splitting are you talking about?

If it followed due process, then that is it. If you dont like the outcome of your due process then look into the process and fix the process because as we speak that is the process that will be followed for present and future procurements

ogb5:

Must you insult others?
What contract splitting are you talking about?

If it followed due process, then that is it. If you dont like the outcome of your due process then look into the process and fix the process because as we speak that is the process that will be followed for present and future procurements

she doesn't qualify for future procurements she needs to go

Even ministries and agencies that are not functioning at all acquire vehicles. We are not talking of numbers of vehicles here but the PRICE!

1. In the history of NCAA, has the life of any of their visitors been made attempt on to necessitate the purchase of armored vehicles

2. The evidence of the bank statement of coscharis motors regarding this transaction as provided by Saharareporters (which coscharis hasn't denied) indicates that the purchase of the vehicles was through any means but "Lease Financing". Can she clarify that??

3. Was the purchase of the said "specialized security vehicles" approved in the ministry's budget as passed by the national assembly

4. Who were the other auto dealerships available at the bidding?? Was the quotation of coscharis the most competitive?

5. We believe the other parastatals under the ministry receive foreign visitors from time to time as well?? Following your logic, they would be needing similar vehicles for their guests wouldn't they, madam minister





This one is simply indefensible madam.
Throw in the towel honorably and save whatever is left of your dignity. We know you arnt going to jail. This is Nigeria!!

bigass:

why do have the purchasing and procurement depts? to find the true value/cost of goods before they are bought, to regulate against overinflated costs

That is why I also agree the enquiry should go on; some departments appear not to be doing their job. Or, why haven't we heard from Procurements that they notified the Minister of the inflated costs, but she chose to go on with the deal.

Believe me I'm glad these things are happening. Media houses are doing great. (Save for sponsoring breaking and entering)
Stella is now aware that the slightest smear on her ministry might get her kicked out, and so do other ministers.

mmhh

For any government supply there must be at least 3 bidders, her argument on Cosharis is invalid.

It also appears that a private firm she terms CSO not BPP was present which again is a bit questionable.

She failed to convincingly explain why NCAA should buy a car for her as she is not an "International white man"

GEJ has the final say after input from his 3 man committee; his decision should be respected.

BekeeBuAgbara: (I) By letter dated April 15, 2013, NCAA officially requested authorisation from the Federal Ministry of Aviation to procure 56 operational vehicles

Is it that you people lack basic education or you are just being tribalistic ? Now tell me mo'R'on who in the ministry NCAA sought authorization from if not the fat bytch sitting at the helm of the ministry squandering the nation's wealth.

If due process was followed (as it obviously was) and you still dont like the outcome, kindly KICK the BUCKET and to hell with your selective criticisms /anti corruption crusades.

due process my foot

passion007: Problem (re)solved.

The BMWs were purchased on lease from a monopolist company.

Now the 'activists' can either get back to addressing weightier matters, for instance:
How come Fasola's 3 cars cost N200m apiece, although the complete funds were available upfront.

Or, they could Bit.ch, Mutiny, and Whine (OMG, BMW!) till Thy Kingdom Come

As an aside, Princess Oduah, "If you see me passing by, don't be shy to say Hi" like my Poko Baby aka Tontoh Dikeh, would say.

Dnt worry, she has many ways of saying "hI" like using the car to splash dirty water on u from head to toe.

1) First, it was Allison Maduekwe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . they failed

2) Then, the Chief of Army Staff, Ihejirika . . . . . . . . they failed woefully too

3) Again, they tried the almighty Okonjo-Iweala . . . . of course, they are not her class and she brushed them aside

4) Now it is the turn of the best performing Minister of Aviation in the last two decades . . . . . . . . . . . . she will shame all the enemies of progress


I do not condone corruption but the way and manner Sahara Reporters made a scape goat of Stella Oduah without showing much proof of her direct involvement on its own was a suspect. Immediately, other APC propagandist media like PUNCH, Nation etc picked it up and made it headline story for close to seven days without much investigation except the rumours and gossips they gather from social media.

3.In the 2013 budgetary appropriation, provision was made for the procurement of specialised equipment (including operational vehicles) to complement and in some cases replace obsolete ones.

Furthermore, the fact that NCAA, as the regulator of the industry, often plays host to dignitaries from ICAO, IATA, US FAA, AFRAA, AFCAC BAGASO, CANSO, ACI and a host of others makes it necessary to have specialised operational vehicles.

4.With regard to the procurement of additional operational vehicles (including BMW Security Vehicles), the following due process was observed:

Just matters of weeks we will know the truth, between stella and HOR.

http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/component/k2/item/24625-n255m-armoured-cars-jonathan-probes-oduah-•sets-up-3-man-administrative-panel.html

.... We only approved 27 utility vehicles, not 2 BMW armoured cars —Reps spokesman
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Honourable Zakari Mohammed, on Wednesday, said the Committee on Aviation only approved about 27 utility vehicles for the NCAA in the 2013 budget, not two BMW bulletproof cars as reportedly claimed by the agency.
The spokesperson, in a telephone interview with the Nigerian Tribune, added during the budget defence, NCAA had made request for the purchase of armoured vehicles, a request the committee turned down.
According to him, “during the 2013 budget defence, NCAA requested for the purchase of security and armoured vehicles, but the committee rejected it.
“It was after that the NCAA made another request for the purchase of utility vehicles without specification and numbers of such vehicles, and we had to ask them (NCAA) to go back and itemise the utility vehicles they wanted to purchase.
“When they returned, they listed Hiluxes, Corrollas as utility vehicles they wanted for their operations and, of course, it was approved.
“So those utility vehicles are in the list, they are about 27 items, that was what we approved. The BMW is not there. It is not security vehicles. What we approved is utility vehicles. That is the issue, that cannot be said to be the same approval.”

Chanchit:

Dnt worry, she has many ways of saying "hI" like using the car to splash dirty water on u from head to toe.

Heh heh heh

Space booked

bigass: are you guys crazy or what? every thief has an explanation. so because she wrote this she should be pardoned. he he he. so if she buys a laptop for 2 billion Naira it becomes non-issue as long as it followed due process and appropriated for? what about the fraud of contract splitting and inflation?
she should rot in gaol otherwise known as jail!!!! onyiara

You dey mind those two unrealistic adults..? One even said she should sue NL, is Nl d source of the story..? And she should just go ahead and sue SR since they are d source of the story, we would see if more cans of worm wnt be opened..

arowolobioyinbo:

(I) By letter dated April 15, 2013, NCAA officially requested authorisation from the Federal Ministry of Aviation to procure 56 operational vehicles through lease financing. This option was proposed to the ministry to enable the NCAA make 36 monthly payments based on receipts from Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.

Oh! it was NCAA which has Captain Fola Akinkuotu as its D.G that requested for the cars not Princess Stella Oduah as was ealier reported by Sahalie reporters.

Why nobody is talking about Fola Akinkuotu?
Why do people leave the 'nyash' that farts to go knocking the innocent head.

The days some section of the country would use the media to kick Igbos out of office unnecessaryly are coming to an end.

But mr spokesperson said the cars were bought due to the immediate threat to her life?? Who are they playing? KARMA will prevailprevail!

otokx: For any government supply there must be at least 3 bidders, her argument on Cosharis is invalid.

It also appears that a private firm she terms CSO not BPP was present which again is a bit questionable.

She failed to convincingly explain why NCAA shoul buy a car for her as she is not an "International white man"

GEJ has the final say after input from his 3 man committee; his decision should be respected.

Is it stated anywhere that there were less than 3 bidders?

Remember 2 bidders won. Are you saying only the 2bidders were involved