The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, in clear breach of Nigeria’s public procurement act, has awarded multi-million Naira contracts to friends and associates, Pointblanknews.com reports.
This is after reportedly terminating the contract of cleaning and janitorial service providing companies across major international Airports in the country, a development, concerned citizens say is capable of rendering millions of masses jobless.
Pointblanknews.com recalls that at the height of the diplomatic row between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sirika was alleged to be demanding for kickbacks from operators to help in building a financial war chest to prosecute the 2023 gubernatorial election in Katsina State.
However, in an opened letter addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, a copy of which was sighted by Pointblanknews.com, it was gathered that the Aviation industry has, in recent times, been enmeshed in nepotism and alleged breach of contract.
This is in accordance to the open letter addressed to President Buhari signed by Arekameh & Arekameh’s Chambers dated 19/02/22, on behalf of Mr. Frank Olu Ojo.
The letter alleged the Minister of Aviation as being involved in violation of Public Procuremnt Act, underhand dealings, and attempt to usurp the office/ powers of the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FANN), Captain Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu.
Hence, the Chamber demanded that the President moved swiftly to rescue the Aviation industry, and save his administration from embarrassment.
The letter read thus, “Our client as a well-meaning and concerned Nigerian who has interest in ensuring transparency and accountability of the operations of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
“We wish to draw your excellence attention to the alleged underhand dealings of Senator Hadi Sirika, the Minister for Aviation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, following his strenuous efforts to violate the Public Procurement Act, 2007, and in an attempt to usurp the office/ powers of the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FANN), Captain Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu.
“We have it on good authority that Senator. Hadi Sirika, is hell bent on violating the Public Procurement Act 2007, by allegedly without any advert placement for bidding of contract, resolved to unilaterally award Cleaning and Janitorial services to the following companies, Scot Williams, Atlanta Cleaner Nigeria limited and other companies.
“We wish to draw Your Excellency’s attention to the alleged underhand dealings of Senator. Hadi Sirika, the Minister for Aviation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, following his strenuous efforts to violate the Public Procurement Act, 2007, and in an attempt to usurp the office / powers of the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu.”
The stakeholder said companies had no prior industrial airport cleaning experience obtainable in advanced countries of the world such as United States of America which is driven by top-notch service provider and state of the heart technology.
The open letter further acknowledged that the above mentioned Cleaning and Janitorial Agencies, are alleged proxies of Senator Hadi Sirika and connected to one Honourable Farouk Lawal and other concessionaires fronting his business interest.
Further details revealed that, one of Minister’s political ally, Hon. Farouk Adamu Aliyu, a businessman, and a former minority leader of the House of Representatives is a stakeholder in Scot Williams, one of the companies mentioned above.
The Chamber thus appealed to the President to rescue the industry.