What Is The Fuss About N255 Million? - Musa Dickson Achimugu @Diqsen

Over the past few weeks, the nation's media have been awashed with stories which have come to be known as Oduahgate. Clearly, as with most things Nigerian, sides have been formed. While some people swear that Ms Stella Oduah is the best thing that has ever happened to Nigeria's aviation industry and that she is being victimized as a result of her bold steps to correct the ills she inherited in that sector, others are determined to see her sacked for blatant corruption.

Before now, the stellar performance of Ms Stella has gained mythical proportions. Like a colossus, she seemed to have transformed the industry on a massive scale, giving teeth to the new administration of President Jonathan which was then just a few months into office. If you believe the publicity, all the airports in Nigeria now wear a new and modern look, and this is glaring for all to see – never mind that  planes have been falling off our skies. Of course, 'bad belle' people blame the recent surge in plane crashes to her ineffectiveness, when they should have seen it for what it is: an act of God.

China, having seen the good works begged Nigeria to obtain a $500 million from them as part of their contribution to this transformation. Nigeria also secured a historical BASA agreement with Israel due to her sterling performance. If you add her stunning achievement with her stunning looks, it should be enough to draw an Alexandra Burkeesque 'Hallelujah' from your lips.

Yet, those who said her airport transformation project is a ruse for monumental corruption point to the allegations of graft, over inflated contracts, allocation of funds for multiple sham contracts, awards of contract without regard to due process, nepotism, forcing operators to buy exorbitant aviation fuel from her company and failing to ensure the safety of air travellers.

Not surprising, some people, even groups have come out in stout defence of the aviation minister. True, the argument cuts across a wide spectrum, from the reasonable or persuasive, to the utterly ridiculous. While it can be argued that her revocation of the irregular concession agreements which were serving the interest of the concessionaires alone and ruining our collective patrimony have made her some powerful enemies who would think nothing of besmearing her person, it is ridiculous to bring her ethnic group into the equation as she has done. It is even more bizarre for a group to suggest that purchasing the said cars for N255 million was done to provide adequate security for our airports.

The noise and the nonsense from both sides have been too much. There are many reasons why Nigerians are angry over the reckless spending of N255 million on two cars. The propriety of acquiring such expensive gadgets has been questioned by many Nigerians, some of whom note that the official vehicle of the United States President is not as expensive as that, and that the cars could be bought for a quarter of that amount.

The morality of acquiring just two cars for N255 million in a country with a subjective poverty index of about 94%, and where students have been at home for about four months because of government's inability to honour an agreement, has been questioned. The legality of a parastatal under the ministry buying such expensive cars for the use of the minister has also been questioned.

But I ask, what is the fuss about N255 million? Why is there so much emphasis on the cost of the cars? N255 million is not even enough to feed our president for just 15 days; N255 million is not enough for our Vice President to read his newspapers; N255 million cannot maintain our presidential jets for 10 days; N255 million is not enough for our National Assembly for one day. So what is the fuss about N255 million? I think we are not asking the right questions and we are putting wrong emphasis on the cost of the cars.

I'd rather ask the following questions;

1. How much was appropriated for the purchase of operational vehicles by NCAA for 2013?
2. How many vehicles was the said sum appropriated for?
3. How much has been committed to the purchase of operational vehicles in 2013, whether by actual cash or lease financing?
4. Is there a differential between the appropriated sum and the committed sum?
5. If there is a differential, who approved it?
6. Was the person that gave such approval authorised by law and the Nigerian constitution to grant such?
7. Is there a ceiling on the maximum contract sum that can be awarded by a parastatal of government, above which permission must be sought and obtained from the Federal Executive Council before which such contract can be awarded?
8. Did NCAA at any time award a contract above this ceiling in the purchase of their operational vehicles?
9. Did they seek the permission of FEC and obtained it before they awarded those contracts?
10. Can the Minister act on behalf of FEC to approve spending above the ceiling?
11. Is it mandatory that the BPP be involved in the award of all government contracts?
12. Was the BPP involved in the purchase of the operational vehicles by NCAA?
13. Is there government approved due process in the award of contracts?
14. Did the NCAA follow due process in awarding contracts for the purchase of its operational vehicles?
15. Is it compulsory to seek and obtain permission of Security agencies before bringing in security vehicles to Nigeria?
16. Was such permission sought and obtained before the NCAA purchased the security vehicles?
17. Where are the operational vehicles purchased by NCAA?
18. Would a crime be committed if an official of government contravenes a law while acting in the 'overriding interest of the masses'?

These for me are questions we should be asking, instead of fussing over N255 million.


This piece was sent in by Musa Dickson Achimugu @Diqsen

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NEWS: Jonathan Snubs Oduah, Prevents Her From Signing The Bilateral Agreement In Israel

It was widely reported last week that President Goodluck Jonathan turned down the embattled ministers request for an appointment while on pilgrimage at the Holy Land, well news reaching us is that the President has refused to allow the Minister, Ms Stella Oduah sign the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with him in Israel today.

Thumbs up Mr. President!

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NEWS: N255m Car Scandal - Stella Oduah Tells Her Own Side Of The Story

Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah has responded to President Jonathan's query to her to explain her role in the purchase of the controversial N255million BMW armored cars. See her response below

Executive summary on the procurement of NCAA operational vehicles
“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, is the statutory regulator of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Industry.
Consequently, the NCAA is charged with oversight responsibilities over all civil aviation operations in the country, including safety, security and strict compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, SARPs, and Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, NCARs.
2. Towards the effective implementation of its statutory regulatory responsibilities, therefore, it is imperative that the NCAA is fully equipped with highly specialised tools and facilities, including adequate operational vehicles to cover all 22 national airports and over 400 airstrips. In keeping with standard practice, provision is therefore made annually for the replacement of obsolete, inadequate & unreliable monitoring equipment.

3.In the 2013 budgetary appropriation, provision was made for the procurement of specialised equipment (including operational vehicles) to complement and in some cases replace obsolete ones.

Furthermore, the fact that NCAA, as the regulator of the industry, often plays host to dignitaries from ICAO, IATA, US FAA, AFRAA, AFCAC BAGASO, CANSO, ACI and a host of others makes it necessary to have specialised operational vehicles.

4.With regard to the procurement of additional operational vehicles (including BMW Security Vehicles), the following due process was observed:
(I) By letter dated April 15, 2013, NCAA officially requested authorisation from the Federal Ministry of Aviation to procure 56 operational vehicles through lease financing. This option was proposed to the ministry to enable the NCAA make 36 monthly payments based on receipts from Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.


The Ministry therefore granted due approval.
(ii)Based on the ministry’s approval, the NCAA invited Expressions of Interest from all Banks in Nigeria for the financing of the said vehicles. EOI was adopted because the procurement is two sided. First, the financier would have to be selected before the supplier is determined. This is in line with procurement best practices.
(iii) On May 24, 2013, the response received from the various banks to the Expression of Interest, EOI, request was opened publicly and minutes of the opening exercise was duly documented. During the EOI opening exercise, NCAA got commendation from one of the Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, approved by BPP who were invited for the opening exercise.
(iv)  The evaluation of the expression of interests was held on May 31, 2013 during which First Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc and Stanbic IBTC emerged most responsive. On the June 10, 2013 the above three banks were invited to submit Financial Proposals. Thereafter, First Bank emerged the highest rated responsive bidder.
(v)Between June 20 and 25, 2013, invoices were received from various accredited motor vehicle dealers during which only Coscharis Motors Limited quoted for BMW Security Vehicles.

(vi) On June  28, 2013, NCAA Parastatal Tenders Board approved the selection of First Bank Ltd for the Lease Financing as well as Metropolitan Motor Vehicles and Coscharis for the supply of the vehicles.  All  necessary approvals  were duly  sought  and  obtained accordingly.

(vii) Between  July 8, 2013 to August, 12, 2013 various meetings were held with First Bank Ltd, contract agreement was signed and necessary documentation executed.

Your Excellency is respectfully invited to note:
(i) The crucial statutory role of the NCAA in regulating civil aviation operations in the country, including safety, security and strict compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs).
(ii) The need for NCAA to be fully equipped with highly specialized tools and facilities (including operational vehicles) to enable the effective implementation of its statutory functions.
(iii) The procurement of specialized operational vehicles is duly provided for in the NCAA 2p 13 (IGR) Budget and the need for adopting instalmental lease payments over36rionths.
(iii) That Due Process was followed in the procurement of the said operational vehicles.

Please your Excellency my continued loyally and esteemed regards.
Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, OON, Honourable Minister.

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NEWS: Oduah's Car More Expensive Than British PM's Car

Each of the two armoured BMW 760 Li cars bought for the Minister for Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority is more expensive than the British Prime Minister, David Cameron's car.

While Oduah's cars go for $800,000 (about N127.5m) each, Cameron's armoured Jaguar XJ X351 car costs £200,000 (about N52m).

The aviation minister's media aide had said the cars, manufactured in Germany in 2008, were acquired "in response to the clear and imminent threat to her personal security and life."

An online news portal, Sahara Reporters, reported that the NCAA paid about $1.6m (about N255m) for just two pieces, which was enough to buy eight pieces of same BMW model and spec elsewhere.

Cameron's Jaguar car, according to Daily Mail, "is specially modified for carrying Cameron and contains many features to stop a potential terrorist attack."

Even at the N52m-price, Cameron's car reportedly has more sophisticated features, including special bullet and bomb-proof security armour, run-flat tyres, bullet proof glass and a self-contained oxygen supply.

To prove that the price of Oduah's cars might have been inflated, Sahara Reporters reported that Vista BMW in Florida, United States of America, sold a fully armoured BMW 760 Li car built to withstand AK 47-7.62×39 ammo and lower calibre weapons, for only $162,195 (about N26m).

Similarly, the armoured car ballistic division of the International Armouring Corporation in Utah, USA, said the cars could have been sold for $200,000 (about N32m) each, shipping to Nigeria inclusive.


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Armoured Car Scandal: Melaye’s Group Asks Aviation Minister To Resign Within 72hours

The group threatened to go to court.

An anti-corruption campaign organisation, Anti-Corruption Network, ACN, on Friday, gave the Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, 72 hours to refund the N255 million used to purchase two armoured vehicles on her behalf by an agency under her supervision.
The group also called for the minister's resignation.
The group, which gave the ultimatum at a news conference in Abuja, warned that should the minister fail to resign, it would head for the court to compel her to do so.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, released a whopping N255 million to purchase two BMW armoured cars for Ms. Oduah, whose life, her media aide, Joe Obi, claimed was being threatened.

The ACN's Executive Secretary, Dino Melaye, said the group had already instructed its legal team to study the case with a view to instituting an action against the minister.
"If it were to be during (Olusegun) Obasanjo or (Umar) Yar'Adua's administration, the minister would have been fired. We are waiting to see what the President (Goodluck Jonathan) will do, as well as the National Assembly," he said.

Mr. Melaye, a former member of the House of Representatives, said the procurement of the two bullet proof cars under any guise, was an affront on university students who have been out of school for about four months due to the strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.
The Union, among other issues, is protesting the infrastructural decay in the nation's universities.
Mr. Melaye accused Ms. Oduah of being callous, inhuman and reprehensible.

The former lawmaker alleged that the vehicles could have been bought for the minister from the proceeds of Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, or the kick-back from the ongoing rehabilitation of the airports in the country.
"No ministry or agency is allowed to spend money not appropriated. The posers we have for the minister is, was the money for the purchase of the cars budgeted for by the National Assembly? Did the Bureau of Public Enterprise clear the purchase? Or did Stella Oduah obtain certificate of no objection? These are many more posers the honourable minister should provide answers to.
"However, in the absence of satisfactory answers, what can be deduced is that, it is either the NCAA, alleged to have procured the cars, hoodwinked the public by under declaring its Internally Generated Revenue to raise the money, or the minister purchased it from the proceeds of the kick-back from the renovation of the country's airports."

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