Stories by Isaac Anumihe

Stakeholders have expressed anger over the $195 million contract awarded to an Israeli firm,  HLSI Security Systems and Technologies, to secure the nation’s maritime space.

They argued  that the contract is a ploy to siphon some crude oil products out of Nigeria for private use. They wondered why such a huge amount of money did not go through the National Assembly or Head of Service for approval?

Recall  that on Monday October 30, 2017, Minister of Transportation, Mr  Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi  gleefully announced to Nigerians that the Federal Government has approved the award of a security contract valued at $195 million (about N60 billion) to an Israeli firm, HLSI Security Systems and Technologies, to procure security equipment and train Nigerian security personnel to tackle crimes on the nation’s waterways.

He said the agreement became imperative given the high charges shipping firms pay for security escort on Nigerian waterways, adding that due to insecurity on the nation’s waterways, the maritime sector spends $18 million on a yearly basis in addition to high war risk insurance payable by shippers to do business on the waters.

 “ Mr President has kindly approved that, and that is being done through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). They will train our Navy, our Army and our Police for three years so that we can stop spending money escorting boats and vessels on our waterways.

But peeved by the contract which did not go through due process, stakeholders felt there is more to the  contract  than meets the eyes.

The co-ordinator, Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders,  Chief Osita Patrick Chukwu condemned the contract, saying that it is an avenue to divert the oil for selfish interest.

“They are using the Israeli firm to move out money. There is no other way they can use to move that money out of Nigeria. We know what is going on.  They will tell you that they are not corrupt. They are liars. They forget that we know what is going on.

If they had gone through the National Assembly, the National Assemble would not have allowed it. They must have gone through the presidency to achieve that. Are you surprised? Many of such contracts have been going on without the National Assembly’s approval or  head of service. Even the military does not know about it.  What happened between Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu and the Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian  National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru is an eye-opener.

We are no more secure. How can a foreign company come to secure you in your own territorial waters.  Don’t forget, the firm is in charge of securing the crude oil and they can divert the oil vessel, sell and make money for themselves.  So, you can see how porous our country is” he said.

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The Director General of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr Joel Nwosu regretted that a government that is  supposed to be fighting corruption is enmeshed in a mess of corruption to the extent that there are allegations of corruption involving Baru, Abba Kyari and Abdulrasheed Maina.

“It is a serious indictment and it is a reflection of the indiscipline and corruption in the system.

Oftentimes we hear of barrels of oil being lost from the creeks. It goes to show you the indiscipline and corruption in the system. More so, this is  the government that is fighting corruption. Look at the case of the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Baru and even the allegations of chief of staff to the president, Abba Kyari.

“We are in trouble, real trouble. So, if you ask me, if the Israelis came to police our waterways, let it be. That is my honest advice.

The Israelis should be charged with the responsibility of providing new training techniques to our navy or even the customs –because customs has a maritime unit. So, let it be an eye-opener to even our security that is  supposedly in charge of our waterways.

“I don’t have anything against it because the level of corruption in Nigeria is so alarming. Are you aware that Julius Berger does not accept cash from Nigeria anymore?  They are now paid with  crude oil.   

However, let them expand the contract terms so that our security agencies that are supposed to police our waters are given additional training so that they will be better equipped to police the waterways” he said.

For the Special Assistant to President of ANLCA, Mr Pius Ujubuonu, simply said that it is risky for foreigners to monitor Nigeria’s internal waterways.   

“It is clear that most of the policies of the Nigerian government since after the war have been induced by either personal or group interest. Otherwise, there are certain due diligences that are supposed to be carried out before policies are formulated.

Monitoring of our national and international waterways is an exclusive internal affairs thing. It is risky. It is like completely mortgaging the security of the country to a foreign company. We have our police. We have our customs. In some countries they have what is called coast guards. We have more than enough security personnel. People like Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo were given that contract. We  knew how effective they were. But they were sent away  because they are related to the former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

It is just a matter of somebody cooking up something to make something for himself. The reason  they are doing it is for money to go into people’s pocket. That contract is a dangerous thing. It is like giving Indians the free hand to run our armoury . I am not sure that contract was conceived and concluded by NIMASA” he submitted.