House of Reps drama as FG allegedly signs Cargo project deal in error

A representative of the Minister of Blue and Marine Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, has claimed that a multi-billion-dollar agreement by the federal government for the International Cargo Tracking Notes (ICTN) was flawed.

Babatunde Sule, a Director in the Ministry, made this assertion on Monday while representing Oyetola before a House investigative panel examining the delays in implementing the cargo tracking project, which experts estimate is costing Nigeria $500 million monthly.

The hearing, organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Shipping, Customs, Ports and Harbors, Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration, is investigating the contract’s non-implementation.

Sule justified the delay, stating that the process approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) was flawed.

Gistreel recounts that in March 2023, the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari engaged a consortium led by Antaser Nigeria Limited to implement a cargo tracking system for all imports and exports, including crude oil exports.

However, with the change of government, Sahara Reporters learned that some officials of the Bola Tinubu administration are attempting to replace the Antaser-led consortium with their own preferred investors, in the guise of a PPP arrangement using the new DG of ICRC, Jobson Ewaleifoh

The minister’s representative, who had earlier acknowledged the project’s approval by the (FEC) later claimed it was done in error.

“The process was even faulty ab initio. The process that led to this was wrong,” he said, as the lawmakers jeered at his comments.

“The process could have been better than the way it was handled,” Sule added after some of his colleagues whispered to him.

Earlier, he had said, “I am aware of the contract. I am also aware that it was given to five companies. I learned that four of the companies signed an agreement, with the fifth not signing, and I think that was what stalled this whole process.”

Many lawmakers were unimpressed by the representative’s responses, with some questioning his capacity to represent the minister adequately.

“I don’t think you are capable enough to represent the minister; you don’t even have any information about the issue. The ministry is not serious. The minister did not show up, the permanent secretary did not show up, and you who are here do not have first-hand information,” Kabir Maipalace, a committee member, said.