SAN FRANCISCO, October 31, (THEWILL) – The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, Thursday denied being the beneficiary of the two BMW armoured cars allegedly purchased at the cost of N255 million by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), saying “at no time did I ever request for any vehicle from the NCAA and the vehicles were not registered in my name but that of the agency.”
Oduah, who appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation investigating the transaction after failing to honour the invite twice apologised for her absence in the past but explained that contrary to the allegations, the NCAA has so far expended N52 million only on the deal, insisting that the agency did not flout any appropriation or fiscal law.
Defending the action of NCAA in awarding and purchasing the cars, the minister said : “Let me state emphatically from the onset that the allegation concerning the purchase of 2nos bullet proof cars for me by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is false in its entirety.
“It is not true that the NCAA has spent such amount of money on purchase of vehicles. It is also not true that the NCAA has purchased two bullet proof BMW vehicles for the Honourable Minister of Aviation.”
The minister explained that the cars were bought through a lease financing arrangement with the First Bank, saying: “ Another falsehood in the public domain relating to this lease financing arrangement is that the NCAA purchased two bulletproof vehicles for me as the Honourable Minister of Aviation.
“This is totally false. The 2 nos security safety BMW vehicles which the NCAA acquired are for the security and safety as appropriated by the National Assembly in the 2013 budget in item 6. The title documents which are in the names of NCAA/First Bank Plc, as well as spare keys of all the vehicles purchased under the lease financing arrangements are currently with the First Bank of Nigeria Plc. as in the case with such arrangements and best practice.”
Defending the agency, Oduah stated: “We reiterate that NCAA has not spent any money appropriated by the National Assembly. Indeed, what they have spent so far on all the vehicles acquired through the lease financing arrangement with First Bank of Nigeria Plc. is N52 million. By so doing, they have saved the nation cost and the possible embarrassment that may arise if the events we have pointed out earlier were to occur. “
According to the Minister, the NCAA acquisition of the vehicles was in line with the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and spread across three years, adding that by December 2013, the NCAA would have expended N100 million on the deal.
She said: “It is in this regard, therefore, that the NCAA, within the framework of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) approved by the National Assembly as a planning tool, planned its budget with regard to acquisition of operational and other security and safety vehicles for the next three years in a manner complaint with section 80 (4) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), that prohibits the spending of monies from any fund of the Federation except as appropriated by the National Assembly.”
On allegations that she approved the contract worth N643 million, which is beyond her limits, the minister explained that although she approved, she instructed that the NCAA “should do the needful”, that is ensure that due diligence was adhered to.
“All I did was to approve the request of the agency subject to the agency doing the needful as evidenced by my minutes on the letter dated 15th April, 2013. On the procurement for the lease agreement for the acquisition of the vehicles, let me reiterate that from the records available to me, it would appear that the NCAA followed the due process required by law,” she submitted.
In her words, “under this arrangement, NCAA would have paid N100 million by the end of fiscal year 2013. The sum is below the appropriated amount of N240 million and less than what is required for FEC approval. It would appear that what the NCAA has done within the framework of the MTEF and its desire to be prudent, is to plan its budget in a manner that the cash flow of the authority is able to accommodate spending.”
She argued that there was no attempt at deliberately misleading the public or concealing any information concerning the transaction.
Oduah however blamed her ‘media trial’ on the entrenched interests in the aviation sector, who, according to her, have held the sector by the jugular for 38 years and refused to allow any meaningful development and change to take place.
” For over 38 years that our airports were a damning commentary on our status, even when our airspace existed without the requisite navigational equipment and facilities to make the airspace safe; this group of persons saw no evil. Under the leadership of Mr. President and the overwhelming support of the National Assembly, my team and I have changed the game in favour of Nigeria towards attaining her pride of place in the aviation world,” she stated.
In closing the investigation, chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, assured that the committee‘s report would be based on facts and evidence before it as all the parties that made presentation would be treated fairly and justly.
It will be recalled that since the beginning of the probe, the Nigerian Customs Service, NCAA, First Bank, Coscharis Motors and other stakeholders have given evidence before the committee.
By Saint Mugaga, Abuja
