NIMASA D-G, Dakuku Peterside
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has denied an alleged bribery scandal concerning a sum of US$429 million maritime security contract with a certain Israeli firm.
The story appeared in the Sun newspaper of Monday, March 226 and other online media alleged the involvement of the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the NIMASA, in the alleged bribery scandal.
In a statement signed by Mr Isichei Osamgbi, Head of Corporate Communications, the Agency said “There is no truth in the publication whatsoever.
“Having read through the content of the publication, it is sad to note that some people will derive joy in playing politics with the issue of security in the Nigerian maritime domain at a time NIMASA, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Transportation is working closely with security agencies to improve security in the country’s territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea.
“While acknowledging that the Federal Executive Council ( FEC ) recently approved the acquisition of some maritime security assets on contractor financed basis in favour of an Israeli firm; the content of the write up was laced with malicious falsehood. We view this as being merely a cheap attempt to tarnish the image of the Honourable Minister of Transportation Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and the Director General of NIMASA Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside.
“While the report claimed bogus figures such as $429 million dollars and $615 million as value of the contract for vessel purchase, we wish to state that there was nothing in that nature related to a contract in the approval granted by the Federal Government of Nigeria for the acquisition of maritime security infrastructure. The report said the investigation relates to the acquisition of 3 number Shaldag fast patrol boats by Nigerian Navy in the years 2010 to 2013. The said report claimed three Israeli Shipyard officials were being questioned over the 2010-2013 transactions. Even when it is clear that neither the Honourable Minister, Rotimi Amaechi or Dr. Dakuku Peterside were occupying their present office in the years mentioned in the report, the authors still chose to be mischievous.
He explained that an officially approved contract valued at $195 USD is for the supply of special mission helicopters and 12 fast intervention vessels meant for coastal and aerial surveillance and patrol of the Nigerian maritime domain under the control and usage by the Nigerian Navy and other military officials. “The terms of the contract also include human capacity development that will see the firm train NIMASA and retrain Nigerian security personnel with specification to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standard, specially on fighting crimes in the maritime domain of which we have peculiar challenges in the creeks and our larger coastal region.”
“The HLSi contract approved by Federal Executive Council is to acquire platforms to help fight piracy and it is projected to aid the reduction of piracy by over 50 per cent in the Gulf of Guinea within the first year of the contract.
“While we cannot categorically confirm or deny the fact that some Israeli officials are under investigation for contract execution involving Nigerian institution in the year 2010, please be informed that nothing of such is linked to the current leadership of the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMOT) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA).”
