President Muhammadu Buhari is said to have directed the
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to stop
payment to Global West Vessel Specialists Nigeria Limited (GWVSNL) for
the provision of platforms for security of the nation’s waterways.
Ships and Ports Daily quoted a source at the Federal Ministry of
Transport who authoritatively confirmed that the payment to GWVSNL
supposedly owned by a former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpomupolo
(Tompolo) was stopped in June.
The source also said the permanent secretary of the ministry,
Mohammed Bashir has directed the director general of NIMASA, Patrick
Akpobolokemi not to make further payment.
Experts and stakeholders in the industry have faulted concessioning
the nation’s maritime security to a private company linked to a former
militant. Rather than leaving the security of the Nigerian waterways at
the mercy of a private firm, they feel the task is better handled by the
navy and marine police if given the chance and the right support.
Naij.com earlier reported that
Buhari is under pressure to cancel Tompolo’s contract, sets army as pipeline guards
Tijani Ramalan, board chairman, NIMASA, said Tompolo’s company was
paid N1.5billion monthly by NIMASA to execute the contract. He opined
that evoking the contract would be of good impact since it has not
abated crude oil theft recorded to be now over 400, 000 barrels
daily
“And if Buhari does not do so, we will be the first to start attacking
him. There is no basis to give that kind of billion naira job to
ex-militants,” he insisted.
Former president Goodluck Jonathan awarded the contract through the regulatory body, NIMASA,in 2011.
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Title : FG Discontinues Payment To Ex-militant's Company
Description : President Muhammadu Buhari is said to have directed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to stop payment to G...
