TVC E, POLITICS – Lawmakers probing the N1trn railway project scam have queried the rationale of Managing Director of Nigeria Railway Corporation, Seyi Sijuwade allegedly awarding more than N19bn contract to a relative.
The probes into the Transport sector are coming on the heels of a pledge by Nigeria’s Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi that government will commence the transportation of petroleum products from
the South to the North by rail before the end of April.
Having listened to Sijuwade, the investigative panel cited the report of the department of State Security Service which indicted the NRC chief for allegedly awarding 19 billion Naira contract to one of his relatives.
Quoting from the report, Committee chairman, Johnson Agbonnaiyima said Sijuwade’s relative was a Director of Eser Contracting and Industry of Ankara, Turkey which secured the rehabilitation of rail lines across the country.
The lawmakers also queried the NRC helmsman for unilaterally awarding
a 3.28 billion Naira contract for the rehabilitation of Zaria-Kaura Namdas railway line, as well as the 7 million pounds contract subhead.
But to all these allegations, Sijuwade claimed ignorance, insisting he never ran foul of the law
Also before the committee was the former NRC Board chairman, Halliru Muhammed.
The legislators questioned him for signing various railway contracts beyond his mandate.
Such contracts include 8.3 billion dollars for the rehabilitation of Lagos-Kano rail line signed in 2010, as well as 849 million dollar contract signed in 2009.
Meanwhile, the legislators say they won’t hesitate to issue warrants of arrest against the management of SURE-P and Contractors connected to their subject of investigations should they continue to shun their invitations.
