Friday, 24 May 2013
How Anenih, Alison-Madueke, Others Robbed Nigeria Of N234bn Meant For Road Construction-PREMIUM TIMES
Anthony Anenih and Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke
By Ogala Emmanuel
Despite his indictment, Mr. Anenih has now been appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan to head the NPA board.
Tony Anenih, recently re-appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan to head the board of the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, does not have a clean past in managing public funds, a 2009 senate report said.
In December 2009, a damning report detailing how Mr. Anenih, a former works minister and then leader of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), allegedly mismanaged billions of naira meant for the rehabilitation and construction of Nigerian roads, was listed for debate – for the third time in a row – by the Senate.
The transport probe report is filled with revelations of alleged serial malpractices, and shows how, in 10 years (1999 to 2009), through multiple contract inflation frauds, connivance between contractors and government officials, some N645 billion was spent on 4,752 kilometres of road; shortchanging the government to the tune of N49 million on each kilometre of road worked on, amounting to approximately N233 billion.
The report, produced by a senate ad-hoc committee on transportation, led by Heineken Lokpobiri, blamed Anenih and his successors in the ministry, for the poor state of Nigerian highways during the period and called for their prosecution.
The report
The report shows that Nigeria’s public transportation sector, under the watch of Mr. Anenih and three others, was a cesspit of monumental corruption and fraud as contractors connived with government officials to defraud the country.
The report contains details of what its authors said was one of the nation’s largest portfolio of official scams at the time.
During its 20-day sitting in 2008, the ad-hoc committee said it scrutinised 532 written memoranda and listened to 248 presentations.
The committee said ministers and other senior officials of the ministries of transportation and Finance between 1999 and 2009 awarded multiple contracts for the same roads and paid for unapproved contracts.
According to the report, between 1999 and 2009, the ministry of transportation gave contracts for the construction and rehabilitation of 11, 591 km roads at a cost of N1.008 trillion – about N87 million per km.
During the same period, only 41 per cent of the roads were worked on, after close to 64 per cent of the contract value was paid.
In the 10-year period, work was done on only 4,752 kilometres of roads for N645.8 billion, at very high cost of N135.8 million per kilometre, defrauding the government N49 million on each kilometre.
“There was no commensurate value for funds expended on the roads from 1999 to 2009,” the committee said.
The committee said contractors, who were usually selected on questionable grounds, liaised with the leadership of the ministries and reduced the scope of awarded contracts without an equivalent scaling down on costs. In all cases, no one received any query from the internal audit.
The report said that under the reign of Tony Anenih, Adeseye Ogunlewe, Obafemi Anibaba and Cornelius Adebayo, road contracts were awarded depending only on estimates that were submitted by the bidding contractors, without prior design by the ministry.
The ministry also “fixed prices even before the roads were actually designed by the companies,” the report said.
The report detailed how about half – 46 per cent – of the companies that got jobs under Mr. Anenih and the three were not registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission at the time they were awarded contracts, against contract management rules.
It described the engineering representatives of the transport ministry as some of the most corrupt and lacking in technical expertise. “They granted clearances to the contractors when the jobs were far from finished,” the report said.
The current Petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who – as minister of Transportation and Works – literally wept while inspecting the condition of the Benin-Ore road, was also indicted in the report.
The panel said Mrs. Alison-Madueke paid more than N1.2 billion into the private account of a company called Digital Toll Gates Limited, against the written advice of the Due Process Office.
Recommended for prosecution
The senators recommended that Tony Anenih, Adeseye Ogunlewe, Obafemi Anibaba and Cornelius Adebayo, who headed the transport ministry within that period, along with their Ministers of State and the Permanent Secretaries be prosecuted by the government for defrauding the nation.
The report also recommended the prosecution of Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who was the permanent secretary during the administration of all the ministers except Mr. Anenih’s. He was alleged to have crafted a means of splitting contracts into sizeable amounts to bring the values within the approving authority of his office. With this, projects with single appropriation were allegedly awarded by him separately sometimes to non-existing companies.
Swept under the carpet
That report was never considered on the floor of the senate.
The report, which took the ad hoc committee 18 months to produce, kept appearing on the senate’s order paper as a matter to be considered at the next plenary till February 2010 when it was again listed to be debated and adopted in March. That was its last listing before that senate session ended in June 2011.
Ayogu Eze, a member of the committee and spokesman for the senate at the time, said the report could have “skipped the minds of those in the Senate leadership” or, perhaps, the Rules and Business committee of the Senate failed to slate it for discussion.
The Rules and Business Committee schedules matters handed down to it by the Senate leadership for discussion.
Alloysius Etok, then chairman of the Rules and Business Committee explained at the time he could no longer schedule the probe report for debate because he got no green light from the then senate leadership, led by David Mark.
“I’m trying to prioritise them (issues to be discussed by the Senate) and again, they (the authors of the report) did not finish that job,” Mr. Etok said. “I was trying to weigh the options which I am still trying to talk to the leadership to see if we can now take the report in part. If the leadership agrees that we treat it in parts, then I will bring it up for the interest of the public and Nigerian people. If the leadership says we should wait till they bring the second part of the report, then I will wait.”
The report indicting Mr. Anenih was the first part of a larger investigation of alleged corruption in the transport sector since 1999 by the Lokpobiri led Senate ad-hoc committee.
The second part of the report, which lawmakers said detailed the misuse of the funds meant for the marine and air transport sector during that time, was never submitted.
Mr. Jonathan ignores indictment to reappoint Anenih
President Jonathan has now brushed aside that indictment hanging on Mr. Anenih’s neck, appointing him to head the board of the NPA. Critics say the appointment has once again underlined the president’s non-commitment to the war against corruption.
The presidency could not be reached to comment for this story. His spokespersons, Reuben Abati and Doyin Okupe, did not answer or return calls made to their telephones.
Comments
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DO NOT JUDGE.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 27, 2012 - 11:13.
Liberty is sweet but it can give you cavity it is true that nobody is above the law but power can make someone invincible, so I believe that if our leaders are corrupt they are not above the law as well, but he or she as not be found guilty in any way thy are you passing judgement on our own.
Change Our Ways
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 27, 2012 - 10:47.
Please Nigeria should learn to mind their own business in life, instead of insulting our government, we can come out to support them,it is the duty of the youth to challenge corruption not to fight and abuse our leaders, we should learn from our mistakes.
I think Mr. President has
Submitted by Dorcas (not verified) on December 26, 2012 - 13:41.
I think Mr. President has made a perfect choice by choosing Chief Anthony Anenih based on trust that he is able and capable to manage and direct NPA. With all the facts Tote Real has put on, I am convinced that GEJ made the right decision.
In reply to Ugochukwu
Submitted by Kenechukwu (not verified) on December 26, 2012 - 12:20.
What kills us the most is assumption and ignorance. There are comments that are brilliant but are hindered by lack of knowledge.
In reply to Anonymous
Submitted by GODWIN UZOIGWE (not verified) on December 26, 2012 - 10:56.
If you believe that your country is shameless that means you are unpatriotic. Our country Nigeria is the best in Africa in terms of all standards; we are just the people that diminish our growth. Actions like rumor mongering, assumption, spite and ignorance has made us to underrate ourselves.
Nigeria is a great nation I believe that if we join hands together we can take our nation to a greater height.
How are we going achieve this?
Simple let us embrace wholly the principles of democracy, shun violent behaviors, embracing the culture of oneness, social re-orientation etc.
If you are ashamed of this nation bear it in mind that there are people that are so proud of her, and I am amongst.
In reply to Bayo
Submitted by Rebby (not verified) on December 26, 2012 - 10:44.
Except we shone jealousy and greed in our hearts and embrace love and trust for our Leaders. We must learn to trust their decisions and give them our full support, to make this Country a better place for you and me.
In reply to nicam
Submitted by Williams (not verified) on December 26, 2012 - 10:41.
In reply to nicam
Wow! Quoting the Bible? Have you forgotten that the same Bible says we should not judge so that we will not be judge? Go and read the book of Psalms 51 vs 1-end and ask for forgiveness. Let us pray for our dear Country and our Leaders.
In Reply to Utch
Submitted by agatha ajayi (not verified) on December 26, 2012 - 10:40.
Are you really sure that you know what you are saying?
Why are we always assuming things that are not proven?
It seems that many people are bereft of the transformational agendas that GEJ has mapped out for Nigeria. It is not only in the map rather it is visible for all to see it.
We are just blinded by ignorance and sycophancy; if we wake up from our ignorant slumber I bet you we will realize that uneasy lays the head that wears the crown.
How many presidents faced the calamities that GEJ is facing? Although he has a storm at hand he stayed calm and calculative enough to work towards his transformational goals.
The way forward for us is to shun ignorance, assumption and pull-him-down-by-all-means-syndrome and be supportive.
In reply to okokobioko
Submitted by Kingsley (not verified) on December 26, 2012 - 10:39.
In reply to okokobioko
What has he done to the Country? How do you know that he’s an evil man? Why are we quick to judge? Why don’t you hear the story from both sides before you judge? I will advise you to do your research on Sahara Reporters and know what nonsense they have been putting on.
In Reply to Asunogie Nurudeen
Submitted by agatha ajayi (not verified) on December 26, 2012 - 08:59.
The only desire that GEJ has is to make Nigeria a better place for me and you to raise our children and beat our chest and say yes this is where I come from. The legacy He has tried to inculcate into the fabrics of we Nigerians is social re-orientation, He wants us to deviate from the norms that past looters had inculcated in us.
Note that none of the past Presidents came out with tangible plans that are transformational and attainable. GEJ didn’t give us a white elephant dream rather he made it crystal clear to us that in pain lies the hard work that is intended for success.
Have you taken a tour around Nigeria recently, if you have, you will see that Nigeria is actually taking a better shape, is it roads, electricity, water and other social amenities.
In few years to come I bet you that Nigerians will appreciate the same man that we spite now. Let us neglect unscrupulous elements that are actually utilizing our conscience for their own benefit.
In a greater Nigeria I stand.
In Reply to Dr. COCO:
Submitted by agatha ajayi (not verified) on December 26, 2012 - 08:38.
Why do you stand so far to make judgements? Besides it is not good to judge people from a far distance.
GEJ is not a disappointment rather I will love to see him as the best president Nigeria has ever had, take an inner look at his transformational agendas you will see that he has the progress of this nation at heart. Before he appointed Chief Tony Anenih as the Nigerian Port Authority [NPA] there must have been a reason behind it. In Nigeria we need personalities that have massive wealth of experience so that the transformational agendas will be attained.
I bet you many good things will definitely come out of GEJ’s administration at the end.
In Reply to HJC
Submitted by Tote Real (not verified) on December 25, 2012 - 22:35.
Which Edo state are you referring to where there is working going on by Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole is the biggest thief than even Lucky Igbinedion has he accounted for all the money he stole in the last four years. Are you mentally disturbed or you are just looking for an opportunity to showcase yourself. You are a fool.
In Reply to HJC
Submitted by Tote Real (not verified) on December 25, 2012 - 22:35.
Which Edo state are you referring to where there is working going on by Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole is the biggest thief than even Lucky Igbinedion has he accounted for all the money he stole in the last four years. Are you mentally disturbed or you are just looking for an opportunity to showcase yourself. You are a fool.
Jonathan made the right choice
Submitted by Adam Adamu (not verified) on December 25, 2012 - 22:32.
President Goodluck Jonathan made the right choice in appointing Chief Tony Annenih as the Chairman to the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority. Without a doubt in any of minds we believe that he as the well withall to function in his advisory position and to carry out any functions as need be.
We congratulate Chief Tony Annenih for his new appointment and we wish him God's speed.
Annenih's letter 2/2
Submitted by Tote Real (not verified) on December 25, 2012 - 22:23.
Thereafter, the Honourable Minister forwarded a Memo to Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval. “At its 36th meeting on Wednesday, 5/9/2001, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) considered and approved the award of contract No 5092 for the reconstruction of Nasarawa – Loko road with Alushi Loop, to Messrs. Torno Internationale (Nig) Ltd at the contract sum of N2,318,643,233.36 with a completion period of 18 months. An award letter dated 14/9/2001 was thereafter written to Torno accordingly.”
Annenih's letter 1/2
Submitted by Tote Real (not verified) on December 25, 2012 - 22:21.
A point of correction, we are yet to see any valid information posted in this write up that particularly articulates the fraud in which Chief Annenih or Mrs. Allison-Madueke were involved in.
Anenih, in the letter to Tambuwal, dated 29/11/2012 said the contract was awarded to the Italian firm after technical and financial appraisals that showed the capacity of the company which was at that time already executing similar jobs in other states. A Technical Evaluation Committee made up of Senior Engineers in the Highways Department of the Ministry, in summary, found Torno’s tender of N2,318,643,233.36 to be most desirable and recommended to the Honourable Minister that the contractor be considered for the award of the contract.
Jonathan has lost
Submitted by okokobioko (not verified) on December 24, 2012 - 08:30.
President Jonathan has lost his mind to point this man again into the public office, after all what this man has done to this country.This man is an evil and not care about people.Himself is only important.Thousands of people has died due to bad state of our roads.The money mapped out for the rebuilding of our roads , the man corner it to his private pocket.At eighty years old this man is not showing any sign of slowing down.What did want ? to inherit NIgeria !
Appointment of Aneni
Submitted by Dr. COCO (not verified) on December 23, 2012 - 18:07.
GEJ is a disappointment to all. There is nothing good that will come from him. No surprises!
@Hamilton.
Submitted by bala (not verified) on December 23, 2012 - 15:43.
It's not SR that break the news,can't you see the source? PREMIUM TIMES.
"Usless Olodo" Corruption don blind your eyes.Mugu.
Who Paid You to destroy this Woman?
Submitted by Hamilton (not verified) on December 23, 2012 - 15:00.
Two weeks ago, Sahara Reporters claimed that Deziani was dying of cancer in a US hospital. A day later the woman was shown on TV attending FEC meeting. Now Anenih has been indicted, and SR is still using Deziani in its headline.
SR will soon go the way of 234 NEXT when the fund given to SR for the destruction of Deziani finishes.
Leave the woman alone! She is doing a great job reforming the oil sector. If you are truely against corruption, then reject the money being given to you to destroy a woman who is bringing transparency to the Nigerian Oil sector.Ask anybody who works with the IOCs on how improved DPR has become on it oversight fuunctions since the woman became minister.
Birds of the same feathers
Submitted by nicam (not verified) on December 23, 2012 - 14:56.
Birds of the same feathers will always flock together. Mr. President should stop deceiving himself and should stop visiting our fathers in the Lord for prayers and should stop calling on Christians to pray for him and his corrupt government, unless he is ready to change. let him stop playing kalo kalo or kumbia kumbia with God, because the result can be devastating. Let Mr. President go and read Joshua 7:1-20 and 2Kings 5:20-25. God is not a respecter of persons, but anyone who fears and trembles at his word is accepted to him.
Goodluck is inebriated with a
Submitted by ASUNOGIE NURUDEEN (not verified) on December 23, 2012 - 14:32.
Goodluck is inebriated with a desire to leave a culture or legacy of looting state funds. As a moral and cerebral leper he 'll surely destroy every hope to torpedo the forces of corruption . Among those indicted for oil subsidy scams he rewarded with the highest award in the land. This practice is analogous to the fiendish British empire did that knighted men who returned home with human slave cargo. That GEJ is created for us a state of anomie is indubitable However as to the issue of election the political class does not need your votes as votes are not central to winning election The criminals whom GEJ 'll always reward 'll ensure that the protector of the impish business of looting returns to power.At over eighty those who have raped the nation so violently are still so rapacious. With so rabid they are that the nation may die without fail.
Same story
Submitted by A o (not verified) on December 23, 2012 - 14:18.
The question is who is the best in Nigeria both the past leaders and present.
GROSS INJUSTICE
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 23, 2012 - 13:48.
NIGERIA TAKE NOTE OF THE GROSS INJUSTICE THAT YOU HAVE TO LIVE WITH, ANENIH AND ALLISON MADUEKE IN THE SAME SENTENCE, THAT IS LIKE DRIVING A WAGE THROUGH NIGERIA'S COFFERS AND CARTING AWAY EVERY SINGLE DIME AND LEAVE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY TO DIE OF HUNGER. WHY DO THE SAME THIEVES HAVE TO BE RECYCLED AND THE CORRUPTION INSTEAD OF STOPPING IT CONTINUES TO ESCALATE, THAT IS SAD. THESE FOOLS DONT DO ANYTHING WITH THE MONEY THAN WASTE IT ON THINGS LIKE CARS , PLANES AND REAL ESTATES, FOREIGN BANKS AND THE REST ENDS IN THE POCKETS OF GIRLFRIENDS AND BOYFRIENDS WHATEVER MIGHT BE THE CASE. NIGERIA STAND UP FOR THEIR SELVES AND REJECT ANENIEH'S APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OF THE PORTS AUTHORITY , THIS MAN CANT CONTINUE TO BLEED US DRY, IT IS A SERIOUS MATTER AS FOR 2015 YOU NEED TO START NOW IN MAKING YOUR DECISION.
Mr Akpos1, pls note dt there
Submitted by Toldam (not verified) on December 23, 2012 - 13:02.
Mr Akpos1, pls note dt there is nothing like the U.S. Of SS& SE. Can u pls give in to a little bit of rational thinking? Why must internet rats like u defend corrupt elements just bcos they are ur kinsmen. Sycophants like u &Deri are part of the reasons Nigeria is in such anomic state. Get a life please.
The best man may not be
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 23, 2012 - 13:02.
The best man may not be chosen by ota gorrilla.
reply 2 akpos1
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 23, 2012 - 12:04.
Z either u dint go 2 skoll or u r having a block head that u cant remember your history class,
buhari must be crucified?
Submitted by Ali (not verified) on December 23, 2012 - 11:32.
Please let's not trivialised a serious national. I don't understand what is the connection between Buhari and Anenih in this current discourse. I may never be a fan of any of the actors in this scam, an objective discerning of the unfolding drama does no good to Nigeria. We may have pathological hatred for particular individuals but when it blurs our sense of judgement it becomes abject madness. Let's be focused.
Wicked leaders
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 23, 2012 - 11:07.
Are u telling me God just sent people from hell to rule over us? This kind of wickedness can only be seen in the deepest part of hell were the devil rules. God will punish them and their judgement extended to their generations.
we a all guilty
Submitted by yarkurciya (not verified) on December 23, 2012 - 10:21.
what do we expect in a country where people vote on parochial tendencies.
good candidates are openly rejected in favour of people with criminal records.
No good comes without sacrifice. we all know the problems but finds it hard to swallow the pills
