The National Assembly has questioned the award of a three-billion-dollar railway contract allegedly executed by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, MOFI, without the knowledge of the Federal Ministry of Land Transport.
The Joint Committee on Land Transport raised the concern during an oversight session on Nigeria’s railway modernisation programme, describing the development as disturbing and inconsistent with due process.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Adamu Aliero, said lawmakers discovered that contracts covering rail projects in Lagos, Kaduna and Kano were allegedly awarded by MOFI without involving the supervising ministry or the Nigerian Railway Corporation, which has the technical responsibility for railway development.
The committee has now summoned officials of the Federal Ministry of Finance and MOFI to explain the circumstances surrounding the contract award, its funding source and implementation plan.
Lawmakers also demanded details of compensation and resettlement plans for communities that may be affected by the projects.
Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on Land Transport, Honourable Blessing Onuh, criticised the absence of the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance and MOFI officials from the investigative hearing.
