By Emman Ovuakporie

ABUJA—House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, after concluding its investigative hearing on alleged $195 million contract scam awarded to an Israeli firm in its report has recommended an outright cancellation of the contract as it would lead to a capital flight of over $200 million.

The report, which was laid before the House last Tuesday, also demanded that Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, should stop funding the contract immediately as it was not appropriated for.

A reliable source privy to this development told Vanguard  that “even the offshore company, an Israeli firm, HLSI Security, is not an Israeli firm as it was registered in Seyechilles and has its headquarters in Cyprus.

The source explained that “the Nigerian agent’s company does not have any traceable record with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC. We had written to CAC and for more than three weeks no response till date, meaning that the company is faceless.“

The lawmakers recommended that Messrs Shoreface consortium proposal, widely consulted and studied by Executive and National Assembly should be encouraged as it puts no financial stress nor security threats on Nigeria.

It will be reecalled that the Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi; Director-General of NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, and top Navy echelon had appeared before the committee on January 30.

After the hearing,  the committee gave the minister a 72-hour ultimatum to supply all the documents concerning the contract.

Until the report was laid last Tuesday, no document was submitted for further investigation.

Expressing concern over the documents, Chairman of  Committee on Public Petitions, Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, had stated during the last hearing: “We have been demanding these documents and we have received no responses. This is about the 8th hearing on this issue.

“If the contractual documents and agreements cannot be produced within the next 72 hours, we will be forced to close this matter and make our recommendations to the House.”

Another member of the committee from Lagos State, Rotimi Agunsoye, expressed displeasure over the situation, saying that the House was being taken for granted.

“There is no point giving the stakeholders extra 72 hours since tax payers’ money is involved. We should just close the matter.”

He argued that giving the stakeholders another 72 hours was a waste of parliamentary time.

However, Nkem-Abonta intervened, urging his colleagues to give Amaechi one last chance with the 72-hour grace.

Ten civil society organisations had petitioned the Speaker of the House of Representatives over the alleged $195m security contract awarded to an Israeli firm to patrol Nigerian waters by the Ameachi-led Ministry of Transportation, as well as the Ministry of Defence.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/alleged-195m-scam-reps-cttee-report-recommends-cancellation-security-contract/

Everything is a conspiracy in this country. The Israeli firm not even based or registered in Israel. Lol who knows where the staff is from.

To think all these is taking place under the watch of Mr integrity by a minister it took him six months to appoint. I pity Ghana that will falls for bubu's anti corruption ruse

Nigeria is indeed a house of comedy not a Nation

Since Amaechi ignored the 72 hr request what weight does this hold?

Blue3k2:
Since Amaechi ignored the 72 hr request what weight does this hold?

Leave Amaechi alone!He doesn't like money

Most of the companies registered in Seychelles and Cyprus are corporate scammers. Forex traders will understand my statement better.

Trut:
Most of the companies registered on Seychelles and Cyprus are corporate scammers. Forex traders will understand my statement better.

Any company registered in the following countries is fronts for money laundering by corrupt government officials:Cayman Island,Panama,Isle of Man,Bermuda,Virgin Island,Seyelles,Cyprus just to name a few.

sammy4life1:
Nigeria is indeed a house of comedy not a Nation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9FpaF6XpPo

Blue3k2:
Everything is a conspiracy in this country. The Israeli firm not even based or registered in Israel. Lol who knows where the staff is from.

Ofcourse it's a fraudulent shell company organised by a member of the Buhari govt to siphon state funds