Revealed: Why Amaechi Ignored FEC’s Directive To Resubmit N3.7Bn Rail Security Memo
…Minister’s memo presented in September 2021 had no support whatsoever
Seven months after the Federal Executive Council (FEC), directed the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi to go back and do his homework properly and represent the memo proposing that an unknown company be approved to implement a multi-billion Naira Railway security contract, he is yet to do so.
Emerging facts indicate that Amaechi has bluntly refused to abide by the decision and resolution of the FEC for which he is an active member by refusing to represent the memo for which he earlier requested for funds for the procurement of equipment to secure the Abuja-Kaduna railway after it was initially turned down owing to lack of diligence and following laid down procedures.
A member of the FEC told Forefront in confidence that since September 24, 2021, Amaechi is yet to reproduce the rejected memo for approval by the FEC at a meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
The refusal and or failure by Amaechi to represent the memo showed that he 28 opportunities since the past seven months to have re-submitted the memo taking into consideration that the meeting of FEC holds every Wednesday.
The FEC member said; “Amaechi had 28 opportunities of FEC meetings to represent the memo. But up to last week before the train attack, he simply abandoned the memo, only to be crying wolf now and laying the blame at the door steps of the President and everyone else except himself, who is the real cause”.
Amaechi had during an inspection of the Abuja-Kaduna train that was attacked by terrorists on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, said that he presented a memo to the FEC to procure security equipment to protect the rail from attacks, but it was turned down.
“But he failed to tell the same journalists about the shady nature of the company he was going to give the contract to just as he failed to tell the journalists how the Kaduna station that he has deliberately ignored was concluded by FEC that the memo be redone properly and quickly represented for approval”.
The Punch, The Cable, Premium Times and Sahara Reporters on Friday morning detailed the problems with Amaechi’s questionable memo.
Another source at the Council meeting said; “FEC had doubts about the capability of a company which was registered less than two years prior and had no track record of handling a contract of N3.7billion or a contract on surveillance systems.
“Amaechi wanted the company to be paid up front. There were serious concerns also about a conflict of interest when it was hinted that the owners of the bogus company, Mogjan Nigeria Limited, was a close confidant of the Minister with no experience whatsoever in security or technology-related assignments”.
It also gathered that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari in particular questioned the memo while no single member of the Council spoke in its favour.
Forefront News further gathered that member of the FEC present at the meeting questioned the memo severely which made Amaechi became unhappy that the memo did not get any support whatsoever.
It was after the round of condemnations by FEC members that the Vice President Osinbajo, who presided at the meeting, directed the Transportation Minister to go back and fix the issues raised by members and bring back the memo for the Council’s reconsideration and approval.
A top official of the Federal Government disclosed that “in the last 7 years, Amaechi has lost the trust of many of his colleagues in the Council and he has become a laughing stock for producing memos requesting approval for contracts with “dodgy owners and companies”.
The development has further irked Amaechi, who had severally tried to fight back angrily during FEC meetings.
It was also gathered that each time Amaechi was to be advised, he usually turn a deaf ear with regards to th questions raised against his memos which are so critical and revealed clear potential for bare-faced corruption.