Unsatisfactory Response to a Public Query Issued By the President to Her Majesty, The Aviation Mnister

For reasons best known to them,it took the Presidency ages to issue Madam Aviation Minister a query. I was thinking she was going to take the President's query seriously and treat it as a matter of public importance by giving a robust reply or better still tender her resignation with unreserved apology to the Nigeria people on whose trust she trampled upon.

Her response to the query is nothing more than a self glorifying statement serving the proud purpose to a selfish praise and defiance to the Office of the President and the Nigeria people demanding an explanation to public misappropriation of tax payers money.

Premium Times had reported that
two armoured BMW vehicles were bought outside budget provisions,and in violation of the public procurement act. In her response as exclusively reported by the National daily she insisted that there budget provision for the purchase of such vehicles. I also read in the Newspapers that the House of Representative rejected the budget provision brought before the house for approval.

Below is an excerpt of her response courtesy Sahara reporters:

“The NCAA (Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority) 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,” Mrs. Oduah stated in her response.

“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.”
The minister, however, failed to provide details of the cost of the two armoured BMW vehicles whose N255 million price has shocked Nigerians, with some civil society groups calling for her resignation.

Mrs. Oduah said that with the NCAA being the regulator of the aviation industry, it often plays host to dignitaries from ICAO, IATA, US FAA, AFRAA, AFCAC BAGASO, CANSO, ACI and others making it necessary to have specialised operational vehicles.

She further stated that in a letter dated April 15, 2013, the NCAA officially requested authorisation from the Federal Ministry of Aviation to procure 56 operational vehicles through lease financing, according to Mrs. Oduah.
This option was proposed to the ministry to enable the NCAA make 36 monthly payments based on receipts from Internally Generated Revenue, she added.
“Based on the ministry’s approval, the NCAA invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) 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,” Mrs. Oduah said.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“Between July 8, 2013 to August, 12, 2013 various meetings were held with First Bank Ltd, contract agreement was signed and necessary documentation executed,” 

It quite evident her response was poorly written and falls short of Public expectations;as it did not address the issues causing uproar in the public arena. Her response is totally mute on the sum of the contract and does not explain the colossal amount allocated to this venture. This amounts to admittance to the flagrant abuse of her office and strict adherence to the public procurement act.

I want to call on Mr President to sack the Minister from his cabinet as such a corrupt entity would do his image and that of his government great harm. She should be recommended to the EFCC for further investigation and possibly jailed.