Amaechi yesterday expressed ignorance of the multi-billion naira pipeline protection and waterways security contract awarded to ex-Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.
Tompolo was one of the Niger Delta militants who accepted the Nigerian government’s amnesty in 2010.
Amaechi who made the denial while appearing before the Senate Committee on Marine Transport chaired by Senator Ahmed Rufai Sani, said he only heard about the contract through the newspapers, adding that he was yet to be properly briefed by officials of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on the matter since his appointment as transport minister.
Amaechi added that he only knew about Global West Vessel Specialist Agency Limited, said to be owned by Tompolo when he visited the office of NIMASA recently.
“It was in the public that I knew that Tompolo had a contract. Even up till now, I have never been briefed about the contract. How did I know the company? I got to NIMASA and I saw a building that was looking very ugly. And I said for Christ’s sake, who are the people staying in this dirty place? And they said staff of Global West Company and they are Tompolo’s staff.
“Nobody ever mentioned that contract to me. That’s why I said give me information about all the contracts that you have awarded in NIMASA so that I know and the stage of payment.”
Global West had secured $103 million contract during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration alongside other similar multi-billion naira contracts.
The contract and others given to Global West and other companies linked to the ex-militant have been a subject of controversy since they were made public.
At the meeting, Amaechi who said he had to cut short his visit to agencies and parastatals in the maritime sector in Lagos to honour the committee’s invitation, said he was still studying the railway and aviation sectors and called for more time to furnish the committee with necessary information.
-Thisday
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