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The House of Representatives Committee on Navy is set to re-open an alleged $195 million contract awarded to Deep Blue HSL International by the Ministry of Transportation in 2017 to provide coastal security surveillance for Nigerian waters.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports almost four years after, the House has revisited the matter to further dig deep into the alleged award of the contract without following due process as the money in question was not budgeted for by the National Assembly (NASS).
Also to appear before the committee is the Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) to explain the role the agency allegedly played in the contract scam.
The Committee on Public Petitions headed by Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, PDP, Ukwa East West of Abia State had investigated the matter in the 8th Assembly and found the ministry wanting and its report recommended to President Muhammadu Buhari to cancel the contract.
In a letter made available to TNG, the Committee will start another round of investigative hearing into the alleged contract scam.
See letter below:
The Chairman,
Committee on Navy
House of Representatives
National Assembly
Three Arms Zone
Abuja.
NEED TO INVESTIGATE THE “DEEP BLUE” CONTRACT TO HSL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (HR. 201/12/2021)
The House of Representatives on Wednesday, 15 December, 2021, deliberated on the above subject and resolved to:
Mandate the Committee on Navy to investigate:
(a) the legality of the Deep Blue Contract agreement whether it is in line with extant Laws and Regulations;
(b) the standards of all platforms purchased for the Nigerian Navy and determine whether they are according to specification(s);
(c) the actual amount of money spent by the government on the Deep Blue Contract;
(d) other matter(s) relating to the Deep Blue Contract and report within eight (8) weeks.
2. The purpose of this letter is to convey the Resolutions of the House to you for further necessary action.
3. A copy of the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 15 December, 2021 is attached to this letter for your guidance.
Question that the House do suspend Order Eight. Rule 4 (3) to enable it debate the matter forthwith –Agreed to 5.(a) The Motion: Wednesday, 15 December, 2021 No. 48
Also worried that the payment of N59.839,930.000 made to the foreign company to secure and survey our Coastal waterways is astronomically higher than the annual capital expenditure budget of the Nigerian Navy which was N27.2 billion in 2019; 20 billion in 2020, 26 billion in 2021 and approved the proposal of 27 billion in 2022;
Disturbed by allegations that HL SI has purchased more security surveillance equipment that was not in the original contract, thereby covertly using funds meant for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians to finance the security acquisitions of a foreign entity;
Also disturbed that the standards of most of the platforms are not good enough which has also violated the contract agreement as it was alleged that some of the “newly procured ships have to be towed by Navy before they could even arrive in Nigerian waters;
Resolves to:
Mandate the Committee on Navy to investigate:
(a) the legality of the Deep Blue Contract agreement whether it is in line with extant Laws and Regulations;
(6) the standards of all platforms purchased for the Nigerian Navy and determine whether they are according to specification(s); the actual amount of money spent by the government on the Deep Blue Contract;
(d) other matter(s) relating to the Deep Blue Contract and report within eight (8) weeks (Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu – Bende Federal Constituency).
Meanwhile, the MD of NPA is to appear before the Navy committe panel of February 22.
In a letter obtained by TNG, he is expected to provide all evidence of financial transactions with the company.
Read letter in part below:
NEED TO INVESTIGATE THE “DEEP BLUE” CONTRACT TO HSL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
The House at its plenary dated Wednesday, 15 December 2021, deliberated on the above subject matter and mandated the House Committee on Navy to carry out further Legislative processes.
2. In view of the above and pursuant to Sections 62, 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, (1999) as amended, Order 17, Rule 9 of the Standing Order of the House, and other extant rules/ provisions on the control and management of public finances of the Federation with objective to ensuring public accountability, transparency, among others, the Committee is hereby requesting you to submit the following Documents/information listed and attend an Investigative Hearing as stated below:
i. Contract Agreement(s) between the Federal Ministry of Transport, Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and any other relevant legal document(s) that is related to Deep Blue Contract with HSL International Ltd.
ii. List of ALL items/equipment and platforms including ships, Helicopters, Arms and Ammunitions procured by the Deep Blue Contract with HSL International Ltd. as indicated in Annexure i.
ili. List of ALL items/equipment and Platforms purchased and the cost implication(s) including details of installment payment(s) made. This should include name of contractors, equipment manufacturers, addresses of companies, countries of their origin and phone numbers.
iv. The total amount of money spent by the Nigerian Government regarding to ALL the contracts.
v. All procurement processes and details of each of the contract(s) or items/equipment
vi. Any other relevant information and document(s) relating to the Deep Blue Contract with HSL International Ltd.
3. Note that all correspondences must be submitted in One (1) soft copy and fifty-five (55) hard copies.