The management of Niger Dock Nigeria Plc has deviated from its mandate of ship building and repairs and has turned itself into a center for gun running, the House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation charged yesterday.
Committee chairman Alhaji Njidda Ahmed Gella told newsmen that they have received several petitions against Niger Dock Nigeria Plc, accusing it of misusing the premises by importing firearms and ammunition for the militants operating in the Niger Delta region.
“The activities of Niger Dock Plc today pre-supposes that the allegations of illegal activities against them, including use of the private jetty to import arms and ammunition for the militants in the Niger Delta among others, in violation of Presidential Order/directives prohibiting use and operating private jetties for ports operations other than for what the jetty is licensed for”.
“It also violates the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA), the NPA Act and the Security Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he added.
The House of Representatives, upon a motion under a matter of urgent public importance brought by Malam Abdullahi Umar Farouk (PDP, Kebbi), summoned Chief of Defence Staff General Andrew Azazi, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye and Director General of the State Security Service, Mr Afakriya Gadzama to brief the Speaker, Dimeji Bankole on the activities of Niger Dock. Farouk, who
is chairman of the House Committee on National Intelligence, said documents available to him show that Niger Dock�s management is operating beyond their mandate and constitute a security risk to the country.
He prayed the House to investigate the activities of GEC/McDermott Ltd, alleging that security agents are not allowed into the premises of Niger Dock, even though it is operating in Nigeria.
Gella also said Messrs GEC/McDermott Ltd, the core investors of Niger Dock, have been using the premises for commercial activities and logistic support services for oil and gas companies as there is no security personnel presence in the premises.
The federal government, he said, had written to the management prohibiting it from turning the premises into an international port for the purpose of importing or exporting operators on Ocean Going Vessels and Cargo Handling operations of supply/barges.
The government letter ref. T.0160/S.139/C.5/TA1/535, dated 20th February, 2008 and signed by Engr KO Otubusin, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Transportation stated, “That you are to comply with the several government directives on the stoppage of midstream and offshore discharge of cargo and closure of jetties operation”.
Gella, representing Mubi North/South/Maiha Federal Constituency of Adamawa State, said the committee visited the Niger Dock on Tuesday as part of its oversight function to verify the allegations, its members were turned back at the gate.
He said, “It is very important to state why Niger Dock Plc oversight visit was scheduled on Tuesday. The committee�s visit was to find out whether the Share Purchase Agreement which gave GSMC, Niger Dock�s core investor additional 29 percent was executed or not; whether the core investor�s performance post acquisition is in compliance with post acquisition plan; whether the core investor is restricted to the core business of Niger Dock i.e ship yard building, ship repairs and ship maintenance”.
However, he said the committee was stopped at the gate of Niger Dock by the management, whom he said produced a �Notice on Motion and a writ of summons filed on the 28th July, 2008 to specifically stop the committee from carrying out its oversight function�.
“Court bailiff was present ahead of our arrival to serve the committee with court process to prevent the Committee from carrying out its oversight functions at Niger Dock Plc”, he said, adding that the committee was informed that since Niger Dock started operations, neither journalists nor members of the public were allowed access to the premises.
Gella said, “The court process filed yesterday was only intended to halt the oversight works of the committee, hence the case filed in court was in bad faith.
That no court order of injunctions was issued against the committee from carrying out its oversight functions”, he added.