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The Fraudulent Activities Of NIMCO, 54 Other Dredging Companies In Lagos Exposed!

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5 years ago

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An interim report heard on the floor of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday detailed how dredging companies in the state have consistently defrauded the government to the tune of several hundreds of millions.

The report was read on the floor by Hon. Victor Akande, chairman of a seven-man committee set up to look into the activities of alleged illegal dredgers in the state.

The report named NIMCO dredging company among the ones that have carried on defrauding the state by failing to pay taxes and make returns.

The report shows that the state has 55 registered ‘Category A’ dredging companies out of which only three have operational permit. Out of these three, only one of the companies has been making returns to the government.

Akande said the report was the result of the committee’s finding through documents and evidence provided by officials of the state government and investigation.

In the course of the investigation, the committee had invited the Ministries of Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, Lands, The Environment, Physical Planning, the Surveyor-General, other government agencies and the commissioner of police in the state.

Some of the dredgers, it was learned, engage in the reclamation of land and these include NIMCO, linked to a top serving politician in the state, and another company that operates around the Eti-Osa area of Lagos State.

The Committee discovered that after reclaiming land, the companies then sell at very exorbitant prices. A member of the committee cited the case of reclaimed land sold for at least N120 million in places like Banana Island without paying government its due.

It was further learned that another set of 74 Category A dredgers have been operating illegally in the state.

The report also showed that only 12 of the 69 recognized Category B dredgers and piling companies in the state had been making payments to the government.

It was also discovered that the state has another set of 109 illegal Category B dredgers.

The report shows that the state has 11 areas of reclamation of land with eight in Eti-Osa, one in Mainland, one in Ikorodu, and one in Kosofe.

Even though the companies have areas they are supposed to cover, many of them beat the state directive by dredging beyond the requirement, make money, and defraud the government.

During deliberation on the floor of the House, Akande disclosed that all manner of people including foreigners, especially Chinese were also engaged in dredging activities enriching themselves at the expense of the state.

Many other lawmakers spoke against the activities of these dredgers.

On his part, Olowo said the dredgers were operating indiscriminately adding that some with Category C approvals operate in Category A without regard to the laws.

Akande also urged the House to give the committee additional two weeks to complete its work as it wants to embark on inspection tour of the sites.

Speaker Mudashiru Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Azeez Sanni, to write the governor and intimate him of the preliminary findings of the committee.

Obasa also directed the Clerk to write to the state commissioner of police to provide security for the committee members when they embark on inspection of the dredging sites.

 

  • The Witness

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Moment Of Praise Ends 2024 with Renewed Hope and New Beginnings

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1 day ago

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December 29, 2024

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The founder of Moment of Praise, an online weekly praise and worship session, Ranti Netufo, has said despite the challenges and difficulties experienced in the year 2024, there are many reasons to praise God for divine provisions in various ways.

He stated this while commenting on the special session of the programme slated for the last Sunday of the year titled “Renewed Hope and New Beginnings.”

The online praise and worship programme is holding from 6-8pm on Sunday December 29.

“The year 2024 has been filled with challenges. Despite the economic difficulties it has been amazing, with Moment of Praise, the Lord has kept us safe from the beginning of January until now. We all have a reason to praise God for His protection and mercy over us and our loved ones.

“Moment of Praise, an online weekly praise and worship programme, has provided avenue for us to praise and worship the Almighty God with top and popular gospel musicians.

“The programme climaxed for the year today with the programme themed “Renewed Hope and New Beginnings”, reference from Isaiah 43:19. 2024 has been an amazing year despite its own challenges, the Lord has given us moment to praise Him and celebrate.

‘’Today being the last Sunday of the year, we will be celebrating as we make a joyful noise unto the Lord with Moment of Praise team and Victor Praise. The programme will be streamed live on Facebook from 6-8pm,” he said.

Many gospel music stars have ministered to audience of the programme in the past, such as Tobe Alabi, Adeyinka Alaseyori, Evangelist Chigozie, Toluwanisings, Apekeola, Lekan Remilekun, Princess Ifemide, Paterson Okopi,Tope Flourish, Dare Justified, Bidemi Olaoba, Lady Evangelist Asonja Grace Awoete (Arole Eledumare), among several others.

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More Troubles For Ex-Delta Gov. Okowa As EFCC Arrests Accountant General Over N1.3Trn Fraud

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2 days ago

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December 28, 2024

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified investigations into the activities of former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, over an alleged N1.3 trillion fraud with the arrest of the Accountant General of Delta State, Mrs Joy Enwa.

The arrest of Enwa by the anti graft commission we gathered is part of investigations into the alleged misappropriation of N1.3 trillion linked to Okowa.

Other officials being questioned by the anti-graft agency, including a former Director of Finance and Administration.

EFCC sources hinted that the contentious funds include portions of the 13 percent derivation allocation meant for oil-producing states from the monthly Federation Account revenue.

It was widely reported that former Governor Okowa was detained at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt office in November over allegations of using his office to divert state funds for personal gain.

Among the assets allegedly tied to the fraud include shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Company and investments in the oil sector.

Spokesperson of the Commission, Dele Oyewale, who confirmed the arrest, said; “Mrs Enwa was detained for questioning over the ongoing investigation into the mismanagement of state funds under the former administration. Some other government officials have also been interrogated.”

Mrs. Enwa, who served as Deputy Accountant General during the administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, was appointed Accountant General by Okowa in 2020.

When contacted to comment on her engagement with the anti-graft agency, Mrs. Enwa declined to provide details, stating; “I am not the right source to confirm this story. Please contact the EFCC for clarification.”

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Alleged Debts: NCC Approves Disconnection Of Exchange Telecoms From MTN Company Network

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2 days ago

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December 28, 2024

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The disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications LTD from MTN Nigeria Network has been approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

MTN company was accused of failing to settle interconnect charges.

Exchange Telecommunications is a local and international interconnect carrier.

The NCC, a regulatory commission made this known in a public notice signed by its Public Affairs Director, Mr Reuben Muoka at the NCC office on Friday.

It was noted that the disconnection would subsist until otherwise determined by the commission.

“The Nigerian Communications Commission hereby notifies the public that approval has been granted for the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Ltd. (Exchange) from MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. (MTN) as a result of non-settlement of interconnect charges,” the NCC said.

It was also stated that the Exchange was notified of the application and was given the opportunity to comment and state its case.

The NCC, however, said having examined the application and circumstances surrounding the indebtedness, it determined that the Exchange does not have sufficient reason for non-payment of the interconnect charges.

NCC said the disconnection of the Exchange Telecommunications to MTN was in accordance with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and the Guidelines on Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012.

At the expiration of five days from the date of this notice, MTN would discontinue passing voice and data traffic through Exchange and will, thereafter, utilise alternative channels in interconnecting with other network service providers.

 

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