Shock and disbelief gripped members of the House of Nigeria’s Representatives over the weekend following the admission of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) that 82 vehicles were sold for N5.8million within 12 years.
The Executive Director of NIMASA, Chudi Offodile, who made the revelation at the resumed hearing of the House Committee investigating the disposal of public property by MDAs between 2010 and 2022, chaired by Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, said due process was followed in the sale of the vehicles.
Documents presented by the agency obtained by LEADERSHIP showed that Peugeot Expert Ambulance with market value of N200,000 was sold at forced liquidation/auction value of N95,000; Honda Civic Saloon Car with market value of N170,000 was sold at N76,500; Toyota Hilux (Grounded) with market value of N300,000 was sold at N140,000; another Toyota Hilux (Accidental) with market value of N200,000 was sold at N96,000 while another Toyota Hilux (Grounded) with market value of N250,000 was sold at N115,000.
Also, two units of Toyota Hilux which were at the time of inspection in the custody of Carbotage Consultant in Lagos put at N1 million market value, were sold at N470,000 each forced liquidation/auction value; Honda Civic put at N210,000 was sold at N95,000; Honda City put at N190,000 market value was sold at N80,000; among others.
Furthermore, at NIMASA office in Abuja, a Toyota Hilux put at N500,000 market value was sold at N245,000; Toyota Avensis put at N300,000 market value was sold at N145,000; a Toyota Corolla put at N300,000 market value was sold at N147,000; two units of Honda Civic put at N90,000 market value were sold at N30,000 each; among others.
Some lawmakers who spoke during the investigative hearing demanded documentary evidence of funds remitted into the CRF account as provided by extant provisions of the Procurement Act, Proceed of Crimes Act, and other known legislations or financial regulations.
Source: Leadership
