by Panshak Ibrahim
The House of Representatives has stated that it would investigate the six warships reportedly acquired by an ex-militant leader, Mr. Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a, Tompolo.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday, December 18.
According to the House, the alleged purchase of the six warships by Tompolo gives cause for alarm, saying that it raised security concerns at a time the country was facing tough security challenges.
Furthermore, Mohammed recalled that two years ago, the House attempted to investigate a pipeline security contract the government awarded to Tompolo, but it was portrayed as going against the Executive.
He said: “Each time we talk in the House, we are like a bunch of nuisances. We had raised this issue of involving private individuals in our waterways in the past, but the House was not taken seriously. Now, we are where we are today.”
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, December 17, the Nigerian Navy disclosed that the warships belonged to NIMASA, a Federal Government agency.
Mohammed also reacted to this, saying that the House would be interested in knowing how a private individual was able to perform a function that was statutorily the Navy’s.
He added: “That function should have been performed by the Navy. When we resume in January, our relevant committees will be looking into the issue.”
Leave a reply