A House of Representatives has queried the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for auctioning 82 vehicles for the sum of N5.8 million over the past 12 years.
The adhoc committee investigating disposal of public property by the Federal MDAs between 2010 and 2022 to unravel the extent of illegal auctioning of public property, non-remittance of revenue realised into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, issued the query, when the management of NIMASA appeared before it.
The documents presented to the committee showed that Peugeot Expert Ambulance with a reported market value of N200,000 was sold at 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 (Accident) 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.
Similarly, two units of Toyota Hilux which was at the time of inspection in the custody of Carbotage Consultant in Lagos put at N1 million market value, was 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.
Also at its 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; Toyota Corolla put at N300,000 market value was sold at N147,000; two units of Honda Civic put at N90,000 each at the then market value were sold at N30,000 each; among others.
The committee chairman Professor Julius Ihonbvere asked for documentary evidence of funds remitted into the Consolidated Revenue Fund account as provided by extant provisions of the Procurement Act, Proceed of Crimes Act, and other known legislations or financial regulations.
He also requested for list of all the auctioneers as well as beneficiaries of the vehicles, the original cost of vehicles and invoices, letter of contract awards for auctioning of the assets to the auctioneers; relevant approvals obtained from Federal Ministry of Works & Housing as well as Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
The Executive Director of NIMASA Mr Chudi Offodile, who denied knowledge of the provisions of the act on the remittance of the funds generated from the sale of public assets, however affirmed that the proceed of sales was paid by the Auctioneers into NIMASA’s coffers.
When asked whether the Agency has a mechanic workshop where faulty vehicles can be repaired, Mr. Offodile answered in the negative.
COV/IBRAHIM SHEHU
