That report on Nigeria-Sao Tome JDA contract scam
On Monday 25 of April, 2016 while watching the Newspaper reviews on one of the local television stations, there was a headline about a purported contract scam at the Nigeria – Sao Tome Joint Development Authority. The headline drew my attention and arose my curiosity to want to know what the contract Scam was. I […]
On Monday 25 of April, 2016 while watching the Newspaper reviews on one of the local television stations, there was a headline about a purported contract scam at the Nigeria – Sao Tome Joint Development Authority. The headline drew my attention and arose my curiosity to want to know what the contract Scam was. I became interested on two or three grounds. First, I have some friends working at the JDA people I have known for over 3 decades. Second, my little knowledge of the JDA is that it is a culmination of joint diplomatic negotiations of give and take between Nigeria and its neighbor, Sao-Tome and Principe.
This is in no way intended as a rejoinder to the reports but out of concern that somebody is hell bent on discrediting my friend. I don’t know the motive for the campaign but it is always good in situations like this for one to say what he /she knows about a situation just so that rationale beings can discern the truth. My response in this piece will only touch on those issues that are more personal than official.
Going through the Daily Trust report, a summary of which is that: A Mr. Kalabare, former chairman of the board of the JDA, had petitioned a higher authority, in this case, the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) alleging that the project manager for the construction of the JDA head office allegedly over invoiced the authority to the tune of N18,000.000.00 (Eighteen million naira). In line with its powers the Joint Ministerial Council set up a committee to investigate the allegations.
The former chairman, Mr. Kalabare along with other members of staff appeared before the committee and at the end of it all sanctions were applied to those who erred. After reading through the report, my first thought was that it appears that the former chairman did not understand that his tenure in office had expired and as such he is not in authority to dish out official documents of the authority as it is in contravention of the Official Secrets Act, but that is for the authorities concerned not me.
Finally, the Kashim Tumsah I know apart from being a lawyer has always been careful, calculative and prudent. Though I have left all the allegations of official misconduct to the authorities concerned but sincerely I doubt if Kashim Tumsah can be dipping his fingers in the coffers of the JDA while the other executive directors are just watching, even with all their checks and balances.
Sani Attahiru Kamba, [email protected]