₦airaland Forum

The Senate has begun the probe of the Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, over the procedure adopted in the concession of Port Harcourt-Maiduguri and Lagos-Kano rail lines to General Electric (GE), a United States-based company.

The Senate mandated its committees on privatization, finance, land transport, anti-corruption and financial crimes, trade and investment to thoroughly investigate the minister for allegedly not following due process. The rail line deal is worth $2 billion.

The resolution, yesterday, was as a result of a motion by Senator Akpan Bassey (PDP-Akwa Ibom) which he entitled “urgent need to investigate the granting of concession of Western (Lagos-Kano) and Eastern (Port Harcourt- Maiduguri) Rail Lines to General Electric Bassey, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Gas, said that upon approval of the project by the National Privatization Council in April 2015, in the last days of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Fa- cility had developed a road map for the concessioning of these rail lines.

He said the BPE had engaged the Global Infrastructure Facility and the World Bank in discussions on how to access funds to manage the project before Amaechi came in and allegedly unilaterally carried out the concession with GE.

The lawmaker noted that the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act did not envisage a concessioning of the corporation until recently amended. Bassey further accused Amaechi of violating the Public Enterprises (Privatization and Commercialization) Act, 1999 by this singular action.

He told the Chamber that Amaechi had, in an interview with CNBC in June, announced Nigeria’s engagement with GE regarding the concession of Western and Eastern rail lines – Lagos to Kano and Port Harcourt to Maiduguri respectively, worth around $2 billion. Amaechi had said in the interview: “GE is already in; we are trying to get the government agencies to allow us negotiate with GE.

The company is going to bring in over $2 billion in the Nigerian railway sector in which they are going to revive the Lagos- Kano narrow gauge and revive the Port Harcourt- Maiduguri narrow gauge by private investment.” But Bassey expressed concern that it was the responsibility of the steering committee and technical committees of the Nigeria Railway Corporation inaugurated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, in August this year, to negotiate with potential bidders for the concessioning, querying why the Ministry of Transport should engage GE company in June this year.

Meanwhile, the Senate has mandated its Committees on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and Public Procurement, to investigate alleged abandonment of N8 billion office headquarters project by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

The Senate, which took the decision sequel to a motion by Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi west), on “Abandonment of N8 billion office headquarters project by the Code of Conduct Bureau”, also asked the joint committee to report back in two weeks. Melaye, in his motion, told the Senate that the CCB had abandoned the N8 billion office headquarters project being constructed for its use and opted to purchase a completed nine-storey building located in the Central Business District of Abuja.

He also alleged that the Bureau had spent over N1 billion on the construction of the project before its abandonment, wondering the reason behind the action.

The lawmaker noted that the abandoned CCB’s office building got complete approval from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), with the design made by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and supervised by the FCT.

He further pointed out that the project was evaluated and awarded in the sum of N3,509,327,405, out of which a total sum of N1,407,263,884, so far, representing 16 per cent of the contract sum, had been paid while the cumulative job done on site was estimated at 10 per cent.

Melaye also lamented that in spite of the due releases to the Bureau in the 2016 budget, the agency still went for the sum of N4.4 billion to buy the nine-storey building. Commenting on the matter, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, stressed on the need for the CCB to have a befitting office, and mandated the three committees to carry out a holistic investigation on the matter and report back to the Senate in two weeks.

Ekweremadu, however, did not allow a debate on the motion, saying that it would prejudice the outcome of the probe. When he put the only prayer of the motion to voice vote, there was no dissenting voice.

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

ideology:
hahahahahaaaa 2019 is not far, let ur god strategize well and come back

kinggogo:
Y on earth would i evn buy it in d first place

Hell NO

olaasiwaju:
Only Allah knows the future, tinubu is just a human being anything can happen before 2019 my broda don't reason like that.

drnoel:
Yep, watching in 4D with all my gadgets, my 4G, LTE, WIFI satellite and cable TV on.

elopee3000:
i wonder how this girl dey take pay for her house rent cus i no dey see her for any film ok she get that thing wey be like snail wey dey for middle leg of girls

drnoel:
Chairman I see u.
To reply ur comment. Time will tell what influence Tinubu still has. Afterall revenge is best served cold and the last man laughing laughs the longest.
Not withstanding, Bubu has dealt Tinubu several mortal blows, I am surprised that the man Tinubu is still standing. Whatever alliances he chooses to call on in 2019 if he standa behind Buhari then it be obvious that the Jabagan of yoruba politics has not learnt his lesson and is only but Human.

Nemuse:
she's something and does not want to bring to our notice check out the left leg..,

ajebuter:
In the voice of madridguy..

fery fery hintresting..

ajebuter:
And the billions..

Which is the bottom line..

I'm not a fan of Tinubu, but he is Baba adugbo mi..

So, nothing spoil

Yeyegist:
mumu..lol


mynd44, fynestboi,

Smellymouth:
Some people are rich but Mentally poor.

Smellymouth:
https://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/not-subtle-flirting.gif

Smellymouth:
I noticed someone behind her wearing a white singlet..

Which one be Moyo and her thick laps?

The Laps na her twin sister? Bloggers and story captions sha..

President Muhammadu Buhari monday in Benin City, commended outgoing Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State for a job-well done, assuring him that the rule All Progressives Congress (APC) would find an important national assignment for him when he leaves office.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, said Buhari spoke at the Palace of the new Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, shortly before he embarked on the commissioning of several projects in the state.

The statement quoted the president as saying that the country would be the loser if the APC failed to utilise the people’s governor’s wisdom, skill and energy.

“It will be a pity to waste his energy by him retiring. I hope there will be a higher assignment for him to do more for the nation.

‘‘I congratulate the governor for his hard work; Oshiomhole is a hard working governor. We will need his services in Abuja.

‘‘Thank you for inviting me, most especially during this time in the country.
‘‘You have served two terms and you are about to leave. You deserve a place in history. I hope the APC will look for a place for you because your service for the country is far from over,’’ the president said.

Buhari also congratulated the Oba for successfully ascending the throne of his ancestors and extended the support of the Federal government to his Royal highness in his bid to improve the lives of Edo people.

The Oba in his speech, expressed delight on the president’s visit, noting that it was the first since his recent coronation.

‘‘We believe this is a sign of better things to come. I appreciate your contribution to my coronation,’’ Oba Ewuare II said.

The royal father who commended the president for appointing Edo indigenes into positions in government appealed for the establishment of an export and import processing zone for agro-allied industries in the state.

He said the venture would stimulate the nation’s economy and create jobs.
After paying homage to the Oba, Buhari who is on two-day working visit to the state, inaugurated the renovated Central Hospital in Benin.

The medical facility which was established in 1902, was rebuilt by the state government under Oshiomhole.

At the event, Buhari praised the state-of-the art facility rebuilt by the Governor, noting that he had the choice of using the available money for his comfort by building a new government house but he opted for a hospital to help the people.

President Buhari also inaugurated the Upper Siluko Road in Benin City, which he described as “no ordinary type of road.’’

The president inspected the Queen Ede Gulley erosion site and inaugurated the Samuel Ogbemedia College rebuilt to ‘world class standard.’

Buhari commended the quality of infrastructure built by the outgoing Governor, noting that the history of Edomaruse state will not be complete without his name.

Wizzyblack3:
I nor go even jam those kind swimming pool IJN. Bros, say Amen for me abeg.

Wizzyblack3:
Don't share idea with the Pedophiles . They feel the tighter, the better. P**sy is just p**sy if you know how to drill and grind it.. Explore and reach for every angles.

And who say sex is sweet? Then, you never have sex with my ex.

mikeade11:
Get a big prick, any pussy will be enjoyable fam!!

divicode:
My sincere apologies for the wrong accusation, kindly forgive. BUt I am using my laptop - google chrome
Thank you

divicode:
There is a (cartoon) cat on super-imposed the picture, I am not sure it is necessary or what do you think?

divicode:
It is good if you remove this cartoon caricature you always put on your post, it makes you look immature and beside, very annoying!