According to Get View Updates, Governor
Godwin Obaseki of Edo, has said that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi
Amaechi, has vindicated him on the cancellation of a maritime security contract
awarded to Hosa Okunbo.
Godwin Obaseki of Edo, has said that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi
Amaechi, has vindicated him on the cancellation of a maritime security contract
awarded to Hosa Okunbo.
Recall that Chairman of Ocean Marine
Security Limited (OMSL) Hosa Okunbo, had in an open letter, accused Governor
Obaseki of influencing the cancellation of the contract.
Security Limited (OMSL) Hosa Okunbo, had in an open letter, accused Governor
Obaseki of influencing the cancellation of the contract.
Obaseki had also denied having a hand
in the termination of the contract.
in the termination of the contract.
And in a statement on Saturday, Crusoe
Osagie, Obaseki’s spokesman, said that the Minister vindicated Obaseki when
he(Amaechi) appeared on an AIT programme on Friday, and gave reasons for the
cancellation of the contract.
Osagie, Obaseki’s spokesman, said that the Minister vindicated Obaseki when
he(Amaechi) appeared on an AIT programme on Friday, and gave reasons for the
cancellation of the contract.
Osagie quoted Amaechi as saying that
his Ministry cancelled the maritime security contract, which Okunbo’s OMSL was
undertaking, because the deal was laced with fraud.
his Ministry cancelled the maritime security contract, which Okunbo’s OMSL was
undertaking, because the deal was laced with fraud.
Osagie quoted the Minister to have
said on AIT, “What security was he (Hokunbo) providing?” .
said on AIT, “What security was he (Hokunbo) providing?” .
Speaking further, the Minister said
Hokumbo “charges each vessel on the waters 2,500 dollars, then after that 1,500
everyday,” adding that the company does not pay back that money to the Federal
Government.
Hokumbo “charges each vessel on the waters 2,500 dollars, then after that 1,500
everyday,” adding that the company does not pay back that money to the Federal
Government.
“He makes 17 million dollars from that
activity, who approved it, nobody! So as minister for transport, I said no, we
can provide that security…”
activity, who approved it, nobody! So as minister for transport, I said no, we
can provide that security…”
Osagie, in reaction to Amaechi’s
comments, said the clarification has shown that Obaseki had no hand in the
cancellation of Okunbo’s maritime security contract.
comments, said the clarification has shown that Obaseki had no hand in the
cancellation of Okunbo’s maritime security contract.
The statement added, “We are glad that
the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, came on air to lay
this issue to rest in the minds of some Nigerians.
the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, came on air to lay
this issue to rest in the minds of some Nigerians.
“For us, Amaechi’s clarification
reinforces what we have always believed.
reinforces what we have always believed.
He said the Minister’s clarification
ended the argument over who was responsible for the Okunbo’s contract
termination.
ended the argument over who was responsible for the Okunbo’s contract
termination.
