Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah might have bitten more than
she can chew, as probe now seems to be flying in from all corners, over
the controversial purchase of two bullet-proof cars for her by the
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, without necessary approvals.
There was indication yesterday that operatives of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, might move in to unravel the untidy
deal, which has added to the list of misgivings denting Nigeria’s
battered image before the international community.
According to a source at the commission, the agency was under
pressure from Nigerians, particularly civil society groups to probe the
purchase of the controversial High Security Sedans, HSS.
The source, which pleaded anonymity because he had not been
authorised to speak to the media on the matter, told Vanguard that the
operatives were studying the situation and could move in without notice.
“It is not our duty to serve notice to those we want to investigate
so that the suspect might not be put on notice. When we want to do our
job, we simply swoop on the suspects, the source said.
“We have been inundated with queries as to when we are going to
investigate the purchase of the cars for the minister but we cannot give
any notice because they would no longer be a surprise.
“In a matter of this nature, the necessary steps must be taken at the appropriate time,” the source explained.
There were indications that the whole transaction did not pass
through the Bureau for Public Procurement, BPP, since the cars were
allegedly bought based on what a source described as ‘Anticipatory
Approval’ and delivered on Hire-Purchase Agreement to the NCAA.
Efforts to get clarification from the Director-General of the BPP,
Mr. Emeka Eze, proved abortive, as calls to his phone, rang out. Eze did
not also respond to text messages sent to his phone.
BPP’s Head of Media, Dr. Biodun Adeniyi, could not also be reached
for comments on the matter, as his phone was switched off at the time of
filing the report.
Controversy over the cars has thrown up a serious image problem for
both the minister and the NCAA since the papers were leaked last week.
Initially, the minister’s office had owned up on the purchase of the
cars, justifying it on the need to protect the minister’s life given the
far-reaching changes and innovations she had introduced that angered
some unnamed persons in the country.
However, following public outrage, the statement was later withdrawn
and the Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, made to
explain that the cars were procured for the use of the minister and
visiting foreign dignitaries, a claim that further infuriated the
Nigerian public.
As a result, many Aviation stakeholders and civil society
organisations have asked Princess Oduah to resign and save her face from
further indignation.
The Presidency is said to have been seriously embarrassed by the
unfolding drama over the luxury cars and might be considering measures
to save its face. [Vanguard]
No comments:
Post a Comment