Trouble Looms as Reps Summon Ex-Minister and Contractors Over N1trn Rail Contract

It might be trouble for a former minister and about 27 contractors as the House of Representatives starts investigation into the controversial N1 trillion rail contract.

An ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives has asked a former Minister of Transport, Mr. Isa Ibrahim-Bio, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Department of State Services and 27 contractors to appear before it on the controversial N1tn railway rehabilitation and modernisation contracts.

 

Also invited is the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

 

Ibrahim-Bio is seen by the committee as someone who “has a lot to tell the committee about the contracts, having been the one who kick started the process.”

 

It has been revealed that the ad hoc committee has been investigating the contracts, covering 2010 to 2014 and now wants to hear from all parties involved in the contract.

 

The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Johnson Agbonayinma, said on Monday that the appearances had been fixed for Thursday this week.

 

It was also revealed that Ibrahim-Bio, who succeeded Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke as transport minister in 2009, supervised the signing of the N12.5bn contract for the purchase of locomotive engines from General Electric. The House will be told his role in the matter in the coming weeks.

 

However, it was gathered that the EFCC is to appear before the committee with evidence of investigation it conducted on the rail contracts. The DSS on it part was said to have submitted that the projects were not executed in line with set down rules.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

source: tori ng