News

Reps Grill Amaechi, BPE Officials Over $214m Deep Blue Contract

Published

4 years ago

March 16, 2022

The Bureau of Public Procurement has told the House of Representatives’ Committee on Navy that it does not possess the documents presented by the HSL International Limited, which the Federal Government awarded the ‘Deep Blue Project’ contract, before the firm was issued a Certificate of No Objection.

According to the BPP, the documents on HSL International Limited were returned to the Ministry of Transportation after the certificate was issued to the company.

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had on June 11, 2021, inaugurated the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure in Nigeria, also known as the Deep Blue Project, at the ENL Terminal, Apapa Port, Lagos State.

The contract is said to be worth $214,830,000, including $195,300,000 for the actual contract and an additional $19,530,000 NIMASA agreed to pay to HSL for ‘Management Training Consideration.’

The committee, on Tuesday, grilled the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi; and the leadership of the BPP led by the Director-General, Mamman Ahmadu.

The Corporate Affairs Commission had at the last investigative hearing by the committee on March 9, 2022, told the lawmakers that HSL International Limited was not registered with it.

The Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, had stated that the lawmakers were shocked when the CAC said it did not have HSL on its records, asking the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; and the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Bashir Jamoh, to come forward and provide details of the company.

However, the committee did not raise the issue during Amaechi’s presentation on Tuesday but grilled the BPP officials on the firm instead.

The lawmakers stated that for the BPP to issue Certificate of No Objection, the conditions set by Section 16 of the Public Procurement Act must have been met, especially by a contractor.

Gagdi stated that part of the terms of reference of the committee was to look at the contract agreement and the legitimacy of the contract.

The Director, Agriculture and Water Resources, BPP, Isaiah Yesufu, who the DG said was the officer that reviewed the procurement processes leading to the issuance of the certificate on the project, recalled that the request got to the bureau through the Ministry of Transport in 2017.

Yesufu said the request was for HSL International Limited to carry out the provision of some security equipment for the coastlines. He also disclosed that the request was for direct procurement due to the security nature of the project, stressing that the law permits single sourcing for such projects.

He said, “Under the law, there is a section that permits the use of direct procurement under the security related issues and this procurement had a letter from the Office of the National Security Adviser and Office of the President indicating the security nature of the project. Under that, we approved the use of direct procurement.

“We went through the processes; we looked at the request that the ministry made, we looked at documents that were submitted. We were satisfied with them and we issued the Certificate of No Objection. We submitted the review report which contains the details of our findings.”

Gagdi also stated that part of the mandate is the legitimacy of the contract. “We expect the BPP to tell us reasons why Certificate of No Objection was issued in respect of this contract,” he said.

The chairman went on to read CAC’s letter to the committee denying knowledge of HSL International Limited. “They did not say no but said they did not have the records. You will give us what the ministry sent to you. Give us the summary in one minute. We investigated the status of this company; maybe we are the ones that are committing the errors. Give us those things,” he partly said.

Responding, Yesufu stated, “The issue of a company being on CAC register; if it is an international company, the law does not exclude them from participating in procurement in Nigeria. There is what we call international bidding; it is not only Nigerian companies, the law permits international companies to participate in our procurement, it does not forbid them. If they are not on the CAC register, it is not an offence; it is just that they are an international company.”

The BPP director noted that the company met all the conditions prescribed by Section 16(6) of the PPA.

The lawmakers then asked why the BPP failed to forward evidence that HSL had the financial capacity and met the other requirements listed in Section 16(6) of the Act, based on which the bureau issued the certificate.

Yesufu said, “First of all, the documents that were brought, which was the basis for our review, were brought in 2017. And when we conclude our reviews, we don’t keep them; we have returned them back to the Ministry of Transportation. What we are going to do is (that) we are going to write to them to bring those documents back. We will not try to retrieve them…”

Several members of the committee were miffed by the comment, asking why the BPP did not keep copies of the document.

The Chairman of the committee, in his ruling, asked the BPP to produce the documents next week.

Earlier in his presentation, Amaechi stated that the project followed due process while all conditions prescribed by the various laws were met. He said after the publication of ‘Request for Proposal’, the BPP was approached which issued an approval for Certificate of No Objection.

The minister also said the project was taken to the Federal Executive Council and it was approved. “Subsequently, we have been going through the cabinet approval in implementing this. And we have implemented it by saying that everything that was to be bought was bought, cleared, installed and handed over to about three or four agencies,” he added.

He further said, “What I don’t know is about payment because as minister, my responsibility is just to approve up to the cabinet level. After that, NIMASA is responsible for implementing it. As the supervising minister, I have the special interest in making sure that the contracts are delivered, because my interest is to ensure that there is security on the waters.

“So far, there is security as it pertains to merchant ships. At least, we have reduced the number of attacks that we used to have on the waters. That is what the situation is now.”

PUNCH.

News

PAP Sends Additional 15 Scholarship Beneficiaries For Post-Graduate Studies In UK

Published

3 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Editor

The Presidential Amnesty Programme, on Thursday, sent an additional batch of 15 foreign scholarship beneficiaries for post-graduate studies in the United Kingdom.

In a statement, Mr Igoniko Oduma,
Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator said the scholars will undertake master’s degree programmes in biomedical science, oil & gas engineering, data science, cyber security, software engineering, automotive engineering, communication culture and media, among others.

Speaking at the pre-departure briefing for the beneficiaries held at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, the first leg of May 2026 deployments, the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, said that many of them merited the scholarship because they made a first-class grade in their first degree programmes.

At the event, each of the scholars was given a laptop to enhance their academic studies.

Dr Otuaro attributed the huge number of onshore and offshore scholarship deployments, and the successes recorded by the PAP, to the strong backing of President Bola Tinubu as well as the efficient supervision by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

He said that he was unapologetic over the large-scale deployments, stressing that the decision was hinged on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, who is truly interested in the peace and development of the Niger Delta.

According to him, the programme is building a better future for the Niger Delta as the scholarship beneficiaries will play critical roles in the advancement of the region’s development, sustainable peace and stability.

He urged them to always remember that they were sent for studies, and should be good ambassadors of Nigeria and the Niger Delta while in the UK.

The PAP boss, while addressing the scholars, said, “All the scholarship deployments and the monumental successes we have achieved are as a result of the strong support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the efficient supervision by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“Be good ambassadors of Nigeria while in the United Kingdom, and don’t disappoint Nigeria and the Niger Delta. Do your best and return home after your studies to join hands in advancing peace and development in our communities.

“That is why we are making this effort; we are preparing you for tomorrow, so that you will be part of the process of our development and sustainable peace and stability in the Niger Delta. We are building a civilized, polite, educated and patriotic generation. Use this opportunity very well.

“I am unapologetic about the large number of scholarships that we are giving to young Niger Deltans for studies within and outside the country. I believe that we are doing the best for tomorrow and there is no regret about it.”

Earlier in a presentation, the Head of Education, PAP, Dr Charles Ariye, had shared essential tips with the beneficiaries to guide them in their academic journey in the UK.

Speaking on behalf of the batch, Ikiere Victor, who is deployed for a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Coventry University, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, President Tinubu and the PAP Administrator for the opportunity given to them, pledging that they would be good ambassadors of the nation.

News

UK Court Closes Diezani Trial As Jury Prepares Verdict

Published

23 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Editor

The defence and prosecution have closed their cases in the ongoing trial of former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, at the Southwark Crown Court in the United Kingdom, with a jury now set to deliver its verdict later this week.

Alison-Madueke is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama, on a five-count charge bordering on alleged bribery. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty.

British prosecutors allege that the former minister received bribes in the form of luxury items and high-value properties from oil industry actors seeking favourable treatment in the award of oil contracts during her tenure between 2010 and 2015.

The prosecution maintains that such benefits were improperly received and argues that there is no documentary evidence supporting claims of reimbursement or legitimate financial transactions backing the alleged transfers.

In his closing submissions, defence counsel Jonathan Laidlaw accused the prosecution of failing to charge alleged bribe givers and relying on what he described as incomplete and unreliable evidence.

He questioned the handling of evidence from a 2015 raid on Alison-Madueke’s Abuja residence, alleging procedural irregularities, including the absence of key officials during the operation and lack of photographic records of items in their original locations.

Laidlaw further argued that critical documents that could support the defence case—such as records relating to reimbursements and official ministerial duties—were missing. He also faulted the prosecution’s reliance on evidence linked to Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), while challenging its rejection of parts of the same material in relation to co-defendant Ayinde.

He also disputed claims that official travel and financial records relating to the former minister were unavailable, describing the prosecution’s position as inconsistent.

Responding, lead prosecutor Alexandra Healy maintained that oil executives provided improper benefits to the former minister while their companies benefited from lucrative state contracts. She argued that such arrangements were incompatible with public office and unsupported by any documentary evidence of reimbursement.

Healy further referenced a £1 million payment linked to businessman Benedict Peters, describing the use of intermediary structures as a deliberate attempt to conceal the nature of the transaction.

She also noted that Alison-Madueke had been aware of the investigation for nearly a decade.

With both sides having completed their submissions, the jury is expected to return its verdict later this week.

News

Sleep Timing Irregularity Could Double Risk Of Heart Attack, Experts Warn

Published

24 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Editor

Experts have warned that going to bed at different times each night, particularly during midlife, could be an early warning sign of future heart problems.

New research from the University of Oulu found a strong link between irregular bedtimes and an increased risk of major cardiovascular events, especially among people who spend less than eight hours in bed each night.

According to the study, individuals whose sleep schedules varied widely and whose time in bed was under eight hours faced roughly twice the risk of serious heart-related events compared with those who maintained more regular routines.

In contrast, irregular wake-up times did not show a clear association with cardiovascular problems.

Major cardiovascular events examined in the study included conditions requiring specialised medical care, such as heart attack and ischaemic stroke.

The research, published in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, followed 3,231 individuals born in northern Finland in 1966. Their sleep habits were monitored over a one-week period at age 46, while their health outcomes were tracked for more than a decade using healthcare register data.

Researchers measured sleep duration and timing using activity monitors that recorded how long participants remained in bed. The findings pointed to bedtime consistency as a particularly important factor for heart health.

Laura Nauha, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oulu, explained that earlier studies had already linked irregular sleep patterns to cardiovascular risks.

However, she noted that this study is the first to show that variability in bedtime, wake-up time, and the midpoint of the sleep period are independently associated with major cardiovascular events.

According to Nauha, everyday routines play a major role in shaping long-term heart health.

“Maintaining a regular sleep schedule is one factor that most of us can influence,” she said.

“Our findings suggest that the regularity of bedtime, in particular, may be important for heart health. It reflects the rhythms of everyday life and how much they fluctuate,” Nauha added.
(Nigerian Tribune)