Reps reject committee report on Atiku’s firm, Intels

The House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected a committee
report that required the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) to withdraw
the termination of contract issued to Intels.

Intels Nigeria Ltd. is a firm largely owned by former vice
president, Atiku Abubakar, now the presidential candidate of the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Ad hoc Committee chaired by the Deputy Chief whip of the
House, Pally Iriase, laid the report on December 12, 2018 and was
considered at Tuesday’s plenary.
The recommendations are as follow: “That the NPA and INTELS Nigeria
Ltd. should sign the new Standard Operating Procedure in the
Supplemental Agreement, which should be in the best interest of
Nigeria.

“That the Notice of Termination of Contract Agreement should be
formally withdrawn since INTELS Nigeria Ltd. had complied with the
Federal Government Policy on Treasury Single Account (TSA).

“That a schedule for the repayment plan for the amortization
policy should be proposed and signed by both parties within one
month upon the adoption of this recommendation.

“That NPA should henceforth adhere strictly to the provisions of
the Nigeria Ports Authority Act in the administration and
management of its operations.

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“And that the Ad-hoc Committee and the Committee on Legislative
Compliance should ensure strict implementation of the above
recommendations.”

Speaking against the motion, John Dyegh (APC-Benue), said Intel
Nigeria was owing the federal government over $200 million and that
executives of the company also failed to appear at the hearing.

Mr Dyegh, therefore, called for the rejection of the report.

“Intel is owing the federal government $200 million and we have
not seen any evidence that they have paid the money, according to
the report, everyone came for the public hearing, except Intel.

“You don’t have respect for the House, for the committee, but
you want to benefit from the House, I urge the House to reject this
generous report,” he said.

Also opposing the report, Sadiq Ibrahim (APC-Adamawa) said, “the
contract was terminated on the principle of not remitting $200
million, and the committee is recommending that Nigerians should go
back into agreement with them?

“I think the House should step down the report, and rework it, a
pro Intel report.”

In his reaction to the contribution on the report, the Chairman
of the committee, Mr Iriase agreed that the report should be worked
on.

He argued that the committee on NPA should join the committee to
conduct holistic investigation into the relationship between NPA
and Intel.

Other members who spoke on the report questioned the report and
called for the rejection of the report.

NAN reports that the Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun, presided the
plenary.

(NAN)