Secret Reporters No place to hide
Secret Reporters
As citizens continue to grapple with the gross implications of contract racketeering by the Nigerian ruling class, SecretsReporters has uncovered another contract that was awarded to a company owned and managed by a cabal in the government of the day.
Data on the Borno State open procurement portal mined by us revealed how the Borno State Ministry of Health awarded a multi-million naira contract to Global Gate Construction And Supplies Ltd, for the “Construction of Doctors Qtrs.”.
According to the data, the contract awarded in the 4th quarter of 2020 was pegged at N110,333,234.91. The contract details have it that open competitive bidding was the method of procurement used.
SecretsReporters gathered that other companies that applied for the contract were Ali Kaka & Sons Ltd (N109,233,300), Baktar Basic Ltd (N145,343,000), and Mimo Industries Ltd (N 120,540,000)
Findings show that the company that got the contract, Global Gate Construction And Supplies Ltd, is owned by Alhaji Mohammed Makinta, a top-tier member of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
By law, Alhaji Mohammed Makinta, a former member of the House of Representatives, secured the lucrative contract in violation of Section 9 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers involved in procurement. This section explicitly states that a public officer must abstain from participating in a procurement process if any of the bidders or service providers involved is related to them by blood, marriage, or grant relationship.
Moreover, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers strictly prohibits public officers, especially those employed on a full-time basis, from being involved in the management or operation of any private business, profession, or trade unless in exceptional circumstances. It is evident that Alhaji Mohammed Makinta’s ownership of the company awarded the contract raises serious questions about adherence to ethical standards and the principles of good governance.
The situation is exacerbated by Alhaji Mohammed Makinta a former Commissioner for Education and Health, creating concerns about the potential for political favoritism and nepotism in the awarding of government contracts. This development challenges the credibility of the Borno State Ministry of Health and calls into question Governor Zulum Babagana’s commitment to upholding the principles of accountability, transparency, and fair play in governance.
It could be recalled that in 2015, the then Governor Kashim Shettima, now vice president of Nigeria, appointed Alhaji Mohammed Makinta, as an Honourary Special Adviser on Projects.
This online media gathered Makinta was the first Borno State Chairman of the All People’s Party (APP) which later transformed into All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP). He is also a former Deputy National Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).
Investigations revealed that Global Gate Construction And Supplies Ltd was incorporated in Maiduguri, Nigeria with Registration Number 743886. It was registered on 25 April 2008 and its current status is unknown. The company’s registered office address is No 2 Kura Road Off Circular Road, Maiduguri, Borno.
Findings on the Corporate Affairs Commission show that the company is not active, an indication of possible tax evasion.
