Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, who is under fire
following the procurement of two bulletproof cars, valued at N255 million, for
her use, has written to President Goodluck Jonathan to defend the transaction.
The minister, who is being probed over the car deal, in an
October 21 letter to the president, a copy of which was obtained on Wednesday,
said contrary to claims by her critics, there was a budgetary provision for the
procurement of the two BMW 760 Li cars and the transaction followed due
process.
However, her claim that the purchase of the cars was
included in the 2013 budget of the ministry contradicted that of a member of
the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon. Matthew Omegara, who
told his colleagues during Tuesday's plenary session where it was decided to
probe the car deal that there was no budgetary provision for it.
Omegara had said while the purchase
of the two cars was initially proposed in the 2013 Appropriation Bill, it was
“clearly deleted” during the passage of the bill into law.
But the minister in the letter, with reference number HMA/PRES/VOL.1/21 addressed to the president, narrated what informed the decision to buy the vehicles and how the procurement was carried out.
But the minister in the letter, with reference number HMA/PRES/VOL.1/21 addressed to the president, narrated what informed the decision to buy the vehicles and how the procurement was carried out.
In the letter, which had no annexures to prove her claims
that the procurement had budgetary approval and followed due process, Oduah
said the transaction was informed by the need to buy operational vehicles for
the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in a bid to strengthen the agency
to carry out its oversight responsibility of ensuring safety, security and
strict compliance with aviation standards by operators.
“Towards the effective implementation
of its statutory regulatory responsibilities therefore, it is imperative that
the NCAA is fully equipped with highly specialised tools and facilities,
including adequate operational vehicles to cover all 22 national airports and
over 400 airstrips.
“In keeping with standard practice, provision is therefore made annually for the replacement of obsolete, inadequate and unreliable monitoring equipment.
“In keeping with standard practice, provision is therefore made annually for the replacement of obsolete, inadequate and unreliable monitoring equipment.
“In the 2013 budgetary appropriation,
provision was made for the procurement of specialised equipment (including
operational vehicles) to complement and in some cases, replace obsolete ones.
“Furthermore, the fact that NCAA, as the regulator of the industry, often plays host to dignitaries from ICAO, IATA, US FAA, AFRAAA, AFCAC, BAGASO, CANSO, ACI, and a host of others, makes it necessary to have specialised operational vehicles,” she said in the letter.
“Furthermore, the fact that NCAA, as the regulator of the industry, often plays host to dignitaries from ICAO, IATA, US FAA, AFRAAA, AFCAC, BAGASO, CANSO, ACI, and a host of others, makes it necessary to have specialised operational vehicles,” she said in the letter.
Oduah explained that the two controversial cars, which she
described as “BMW security vehicles” were procured following the approval of
her ministry to a request by NCAA in a letter dated April 15 to procure 56
operational vehicles through lease financing.
She added that the NCAA proposed to
the ministry the option of lease financing to enable the agency make 36 monthly
payments based on receipts from its internally generated revenue.
She said: “Based on the ministry's approval, the NCAA invited Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from all banks in Nigeria for the financing of the said vehicles. EoIs were adopted because the procurement is two sided. First, the financier would have to be selected before the supplier is determined. This is in line with procurement best practices.
She said: “Based on the ministry's approval, the NCAA invited Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from all banks in Nigeria for the financing of the said vehicles. EoIs were adopted because the procurement is two sided. First, the financier would have to be selected before the supplier is determined. This is in line with procurement best practices.
“On 24th May, 2013, the response received from the various
banks to the Expressions of Interest request was opened publicly and minutes of
the opening exercise was duly documented.
“During the EoI opening exercise, NCAA got commendation from
one of the civil society organisations (CSOs) approved by BPP who were (sic)
invited for the opening exercise.
"The evaluation of the Expression of Interests (sic)
was held on 31st May, 2013, during which First Bank of Nigeria Plc (now
Limited), Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and Stanbic IBTC Plc emerged most
responsive. On the 10th of June, 2013, the above three banks were invited to
submit financial proposals. Thereafter, First Bank emerged the highest rated
responsive bidder.
“Between 20th and 25th June, 2013, invoices were received
from various accredited motor vehicle dealers during which only Coscharis
Motors Limited quoted for BMW security vehicles.
“On 28th June, 2013, NCAA Parastatal Tenders Board
approved the selection of First Bank of Nigeria Limited for the lease financing
as well as Metropolitan Motor Vehicles and Coscharis for the supply of the
vehicles. All necessary approvals were duly sought and obtained accordingly.
“Between 8th July, 2013 and 12th August, 2013, various
meetings were held with First Bank of Nigeria Limited, a contract agreement was
signed and necessary documentation executed.”
In apparent response to the gale of criticism that has
followed the purchase of the exorbitant cars, the minister drew the president's
attention to the fact that the procurement of the vehicles was duly provided
for in the NCAA 2013 (IGR) budget and the fact that due process was followed in
procuring the vehicles.
Tags
Politics
One day one troblem in njian
ReplyDeleteWho say what a man can do a woman can not do better. She is learning fast frm our governors&memebers of Nass.
ReplyDeleteNa so oh. Na she for remine
ReplyDeleteWhy pass judgement without facts or hearing from d accused? Serving Nigeria will soon become d most dangerous job on earth.
DeleteThiefy! Thiefy pple in govt. God pass dem all!
ReplyDeletePls govt shld resell d two vehicles nd pay d ASSU. Edo airport is not fenced round cos of lack of funds.
ReplyDeleteThe woman has clearly defended her self. The vehicle in qustion is not for her personal comfort as we were made to believe. Besides the purchase of the vehicle followed due process. They should investicate if the contract sum was cooked or if there was genuine need for such vehicle to meed the standard of visiting digniteries fom IATA etc. It is not cool to throw stone on her nor shout thief ,thief... When she has not stolen.
ReplyDeleteSome Governors have up to six bullet proof cars. Even for wife, children and girl friends. Same for many senators, members of house, heads of MDGs.Some Gorvenors have private jets and nobody is calling for their heads.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you say again about corruption in Nigeria where and when Auditor General For Federation SAMUEL T. UKURA is indicted in N240m scandal. Check 23 sept, 2013 Daily Newswatch paper and current Verbatim magazine. Hunmmm Nigeria you in Gods hand.
ReplyDeleteFool,can she buy Them with her "hard earned"money?,they might be bulletproof but not fireproof.
ReplyDeleteWhy is nobody talking about the on fashola bought for himself and APC Oga ? Naiga
ReplyDelete