The Federal Government has ordered a probe into circumstances surrounding missing barges in the custody of the Nigerian navy in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Managing Director, Soljas Nigeria Limited, a Port Harcourt based maritime company, Chief Jasper Ako, had after several attempts at securing the release of his barges seized by the Navy in 2003, petitioned the Presidency on the matter.
He alleged that when the Federal Government directed that all seized barges be released, he went to the NNS Pathfinder where the barges were detained and demanded for their release, but was told to give the Naval authorities some time.
They were, therefore, miffed at the inclusion of their barges in a publication as among those released, and complained to the Federal Government that Naval authorities were playing pranks.
Reacting to the petition, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the federation, Mr Michael Aondoakaa, directed a letter to be written to Naval authorities, to explain circumstances surrounding the said barges valued at $5 million.
Aondoakaa, through the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mr S. Aliyu, indicated that rule of law must be followed in all things concerning the administration of President Umaru Musa Yar�Adua�s administration.
He also assured Soljas that the issue of the barges would be resolved, as he has referred his complaints to the appropriate naval authorities �Be assured that, this being a government that anchors its belief in the rule of law, your matter will be dealt with in accordance with the law,� part of the letter read.
A court, as well as the Ministry of Defence, had in the past directed the release of the said barges, which were never complied with but when the issue was raised during a naval briefing, the authorities said the barges sank, due to lack of maintenance, and directed the company to procure divers to trace it.
Ako is, however, crying foul, because according to him, if they meant well, they would not have listed his barges among those released. He, therefore, pleaded with them to release their barges, in accordance with the law of the country, since all relevant authorities have directed that they return the seized barges.
Apr42008