House Committee Clears Nigerdock

The Nation 8/12/2009

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Maritime Security has absolved Nigerdock of allegation of gun running and illegal activities.

The Committee’ Chairman, Hon Ehiogie West Idahosa, who disclosed this in Lagos yesterday, said after visiting Snake Island’s Integrated Free Zone (SIIFZ), there was no evidence to prove, nor sustantiate the allegations.

" There was no evidence as alleged in some of the memoranda that we received to substantiate the allegations of gun running and other illegal activities that were made against the Snake Island Integrated Free Zone and Niger dock."

He said the facility is a clear example of strong compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code. Idahosa, said the premises is totally covered by electronic and animal security with patrol vehicles, surveillance boats and on-ground uniformed security officers, adding that the facility is supervised and monitored by relevant security agencies within the free zone .

"We found out that Nigerdock is clearly committed to the promotion of local content development and its efforts are not only commendable, but deserve the patronage of all and sundry including government agencies like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),the Department of Petroleum Resources and others.

On the allegation that Niger- dock was illegally acquired by Jagal Ventures Limted, the committee found that Jagal Ventures, merely bought over the interest of Global Energy within the special purpose known as GEC Shipyard and Marine Company Limited (GSMC), as approved by the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE).

He said the committee was satisfied with the company’s employment of over 2000 workers and the operation of a world class training school for manpower development in the maritime and petroleum sectors.

Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, had accused Nigerdock Nigeria Plc, of gun-running. The committee alleged that Nigerdock was using its jetty for illegal importation of arms and ammunition into Nigeria.

The committee further alleged that the company was operating on the high seas to offload cargo without supervision by security agencies. It was accused of operating outside the scope mandated by government at the time of its privatisation.

But Nigerdock’s directors, refuted the allegations. On August 2, Anwar Jarmakani, the Group Executive Chairman of Jagal Group, the new owners of the dry dockyard, who led other directors including Gen. I.B.M. Haruna and Gen. Emmanuel Abisoye (rtd), described all the allegations by the committee members as "entirely false, baseless, unfounded and detrimental to national interest.

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