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Secrets Reporters
An incriminating document obtained by SecretsReporters has exposed how Engineer Eguche Friday, a Deputy Director with the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) was involved in contract racketeering to over two hundred million Naira, thereby violating the code of Conduct Bureau for Public Officers in the country.
To avoid doubt, the Code of Contract Bureau for public officers strongly prevents a government official from owning or running a private company while being employed as a full staff. However, such laws do not apply if the company or business is in the farming sector.
It was discovered that a project for the construction of a 330 KV DC line from Omotosho to Ikeja West was awarded to a contractor named Steers International Limited with Valenz/Electromontaz as a consultant, by the Nigerian National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) worth #206,791,212.10. The project, which commenced in 2005, was completed in December 2008.
Although the document revealed that the contractor’s background and experience were good, and their due process contract certification review was substantially compliant, their tender evaluation review was, however, not transparent with respect to the scope change order.
It was revealed that as of March 2008, the contract status showed that the original completion date had elapsed, with a change in scope: and the project was transferred from PHCN to NIPP.
Findings revealed that Steers International Limited has seven key management personnel, including Engineer Eguche Friday. It was discovered that Eng. Friday obtained his master’s in engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Minna. He served with Shell as a Senior Projects/Pipeline Engineer from 2001 to 2006. He became the Deputy Director of Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission from 2008
Finally, the constraint/comment regarding the contracts on the document revealed that both PHCN and NIPP gave the project status data. Both entities made payments. The contract’s initial and adjusted completion dates have elapsed. The outstanding balance on the contract claimed by PHCN and NIPP should be investigated as it includes a discrepancy of #41,358,241.90, funded more than contract provision and drawn down.
It was recommended that the contract should be reviewed to clarify and reconcile the scope and payment details.
