From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Israel Sunny- Goli has petitioned the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe multi-million-naira investments done by the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
Sunny- Goli, who represented Nembe/ Brass Federal Constituency in the 9th Assembly in a letter to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, said he is calling for a ‘’thorough investigation and possible prosecution as it relates to the disbursement of funds for the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Limited, the Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited as well as the Brass Petroleum Product Terminal Limited’’
The former lawmaker who said all the projects are situated within the precinct of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State noted that the investments were undertaken during the tenure of the immediate past Executive Secretary of the Board, Engr Simbi Kesiye Wabote.
According to him, NCDMB had a total equity contribution of $200million in the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical project which was conceived to establish two trains of 5,000MTPD methanol plants and one train of 500Mscf per day processing plant and associated infrastructure to be sited in Odioma, Brass Island Bayelsa State.
For the Atlantic Refinery project, he disclosed that full investment of $35million was made for the project which was expected to be a 2,000 bdp modular refinery with a jetty facility and a 2MW power plant and a duration of 24 months completion at the Brass Free Trade zone (FTZ).
Sunny- Goli stated further in his petition that also included for probe is the Brass Petroleum Product Terminal Limited which NCDMB’s investment was for the establishment of a 50 million-litre facility with a two-way product jetty, automated storage tanks and loading bay in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
He expressed sadness that the current state of the three projects is nothing to write home about as it is now surrounded by uncertainty and a sense of gloom.
Sunny-Goli pointed out that the projects are well-meaning and could provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youths and also increase the revenue of the government.
“To ensure that our great nation is not shortchanged, and our teeming unemployed youths denied gainful employment opportunities in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, I hereby request that your commission immediately institute a thorough investigation into the projects listed above and prosecute without delay anyone found culpable in the event of misappropriation of funds” he said.
The former Executive Secretary of the Board, Simbi Wabote had recently waved off all allegations of wrong-doing noting that in August 2023 he had led NCDMB management to the two Ministers of State Petroleum where a presentation of more than 250 slides was made to provide information on all the Board projects, partnership, intervention funds, forensic audits, HCD programs, TSA account balance.
A source in NCDMB said there is nothing strange in EFCC probing the investments, noting that a thorough investigation will exonerate the Board of any wrongdoing.