ABUJA, Nigeria (ChatnewsTV) — Nigerian lawmakers engaged in a heated session on Monday as the Minister of Blue and Marine Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, described a multi-billion-dollar cargo tracking agreement as flawed, during an investigation by the House of Representatives Committee on Shipping Exercises and Maritime Administration.
Oyetola, represented by Ministry Director Babatunde Sule, stated, “The process was even faulty ab initio. The process that led to this was wrong,” drawing jeers from lawmakers present. Sule justified delays in implementing the International Cargo Tracking Notes (ICTN), which experts estimate is costing Nigeria $500 million monthly, stating that the project approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in March 2023 was based on faulty procedures.
The contract to monitor all imports and exports, including crude oil, was initially awarded to a consortium led by Antaser Nigeria Limited under the former administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. However, the incoming Bola Tinubu administration is reportedly considering a new partnership, led by the newly appointed Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Jobson Ewaleifoh. Lawmakers accused Sule of having insufficient information on the matter, with committee member Kabir Maipalace saying, “The ministry is not serious. The minister did not show up, the permanent secretary did not show up, and you who are here do not have first-hand information.”
During the hearing, Citizens Advocacy for Social Justice Director Frank Tietie highlighted that the ICRC had previously attempted to engage companies with no background in cargo tracking. Tietie noted that “ICRC was trying to procure companies like Medtech Scientific Limited and Rozi International Ltd, which have a background in medical equipment and construction,” a move ultimately canceled following public outcry.
Emeka Obianozie, chairman of Antaser, defended his company’s existing contract with the government, warning that recent moves by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Nigerian Customs Service to initiate their own systems could lead to “duplication, unnecessary costs, and potential transparency issues.”
The absence of Oyetola nearly halted the proceedings, with Finance Minister Wale Edun arriving to represent him but later dismissed by the lawmakers, who insisted on Oyetola’s presence. Following his representative’s statements, Committee Chair Dasuki adjourned the hearing, confirming further meetings to address the issues raised by all parties involved.
