Group Petitions President Goodluck Jonathan Over Alleged Unlawful Concession Of Warri Port Terminal

• President Goodluck Jonathan, Transport Minister;
Idris Umar and MD, NPA; Habib Abdulahi

...Indicts Vice President Sambo In Bidding Process

A maritime group based in Delta State under the aegis of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA ) Warri Port Stakeholders Forum has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to probe activities of the Bureau of Public Enterprise(BPE) ,the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Federal Ministry of Transport over concession process of the Warri old port Terminal B.

The group also threatened that should President Goodluck Jonathan fails to address the development; it will take the matter up with the incoming administration.

The group also urged the President to call the BPE to order as regards its alleged fraudulent role in the bid that led to  the concession of the old  terminal of Warri Port, saying that the process violated  the relevant laws  governing  such a concession.

In a letter sighted by our correspondent and signed by Jonathan Duris Orugbor, Emiko Oghomienor, Tommy Gbugbuda and Oritsema Olley on behalf of the group, it also indicted the Vice President Namadi Sambo for alleged connivance with the agencies of government to concession the terminal to their cronies.

The document also urged the President Goodluck Jonathan to quiz the chairman of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission  (ICRC) on its involvement in the bidding process.

The letter dated April 7th 2015 which is titled: "The unlawful/illegal concession process of NPA Warri Old Port Terminal ‘B’ By BPE, NPA, Federal Ministry of Transport Must Be Stopped Now- A Follow Up Letter”, drew President Goodluck Jonathan’s attention to the fact that process of concessioning the terminal has reached an advanced process that is being carried out by BPE.

The statement reads in part:  "it is apparent that the BPE and all those concerned would rather defy the law, the voice of reason, act with impunity and drag the reputation of your administration into the mud because of their selfish interests"

"Rather than desist from dishonest and illegal act, they believe that under you, they can get away with just anything”.

The group urged President Jonathan not to allow the bidding process to hold, adding that in the light of the foregoing, a probe must be ordered into the alleged illegal activities of the BPE.

It added: "Mr. President, you must not allow this impunity to continue, the BPE, NPA, the minister of transport must be stopped in their tracks"

"A probe must be ordered into the alleged illegal activities of the BPE with regards to the illegal ongoing concession process of terminal B of the old Warri port with a view to bringing those involved to book"

"The ICRC also must be made to answer for its involvement or otherwise, in this grand conspiracy to circumvent our laws and undermine your office".

The group recalls that in March 18th 2015, a similar alarm was raised to draw the attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the alleged move by BPE and others about the process; it added that since the Presidential election is over, there is need to remind and alert the President of the ugly process.

"The said publication was to bring to your notice for necessary action, the unsavoury activities of the BPE, we believe is working with the management of the NPA, the MOT and even the vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to concession Terminal B of the old Warri old port to their cronies, contrary to the relevant laws through a process we consider unlawful and fraudulent”,  it stated.

"It is our expectation that this follow up letter will stir you in a particular special way and thus cause you to treat this issue with the dispatch it deserve"

"However, take notice that should you fail, neglect or refuse to treat this issue with the dispatch it deserve, we will immediately take the matter up with the incoming administration without prejudice to our rights to approach the court to seek redress", the group warned.

Copies of the petition was also sent to  the Managing Director of NPA, Chairman and Director General ICRC, Director General BPE, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the Ministry of Transport.http://shippingposition.com.ng/article/group-petitions-president-goodluck-jonathan-over-alleged-unlawful-concession-warri-port-term