A lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has filed a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accusing the Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, of mismanaging funds allocated for the construction of a Senate building at the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, Delta State.
The petition, which Adeyanju submitted on behalf of concerned Nigerians, accuses Dr. Jamoh of negligence in overseeing the Senate building project at the university.
According to the petition, funds were disbursed for the project but were allegedly misappropriated, leaving the Senate building incomplete.
Adeyanju also named an unnamed contractor, claiming they received the funds but failed to deliver the completed project.
“We write as concerned Nigerians to petition Dr. Bashir Jamoh, the Director General of NIMASA, as well as an unknown contractor regarding the mismanagement of the Senate building project at the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State,” the petition reads.
The petition further alleges that the contractor, despite receiving necessary funds and resources, did not execute the project as expected.
“As the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Jamoh bears responsibility for the mismanagement of this project. The failure of the contractor to carry out its duties without appropriate sanctions raises serious concerns about the proper administration of public funds,” the petition states.
Adeyanju called for an investigation into the matter by the EFCC to ensure accountability and bring the perpetrators to justice.
In 2021, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) was embroiled in a major scandal involving N87 billion in allegedly fraudulent contracts.
The agency was accused of disbursing large sums for several projects, including the Senate building at NMU, which were never completed.
The Auditor-General of the Federation called for a thorough investigation by the EFCC after these allegations came to light.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts, led by Senator Matthew Urhoghide, had weighed in on the matter, referencing a 2015 report from the Auditor-General which raised alarms about mismanagement and unexecuted contracts under NIMASA’s leadership.
Despite several invitations to respond to queries, NIMASA’s leadership failed to appear before the committee, leading to further calls for an investigation.
Senator Urhoghide, who chairs the committee, said that a query would be presented to the Senate for consideration, urging for accountability in how public funds were handled.
Among the contracts in question are several high-value projects, including the construction of a ship-building facility and dockyard, maritime equipment, and other infrastructure at NMU. The construction of these projects, awarded at a combined cost of N40.2 billion, was never completed.
The Senate committee also raised concerns about multiple other unexecuted projects, which included:
- Construction of Administrative Blocks A1, with N836 million allocated (but only 15% of the foundation completed).
- Construction of lecture rooms A2, with an allocation of N1.7 million (none of the work started).
- Vice Chancellor’s lodge and staff quarters A3, with N11.7 million allocated (again, no work completed).
- Students’ hostels, A4, and power house/power sub-station, A12, with allocations of N151 million and N446 million, respectively, but little progress made.
Other projects, such as the construction of a perimeter fence and a jetty at Okerenkoko, were also stalled despite considerable funds having been allocated.
A total of N36.8 billion was allocated for these stalled projects, but little to no construction progress has been made.
These ongoing issues have raised serious questions about the management of NIMASA’s resources, and the integrity of its leadership.
Adeyanju’s petition against Dr. Jamoh and the unnamed contractor highlights the urgency of addressing these allegations and ensuring the responsible use of public funds.
“The failure to complete these projects and the lack of accountability raise questions about the transparency and governance of NIMASA under the leadership of Dr. Jamoh,” Adeyanju said.
He emphasized that it was critical for the EFCC to investigate the mismanagement of funds and ensure that those responsible for the failed projects are held accountable.
The petition has garnered significant attention, as many Nigerians are concerned about the continued mismanagement of public funds. With multiple scandals surrounding government agencies, many citizens are calling for greater accountability and transparency in the management of public resources.
The call for action against NIMASA comes at a time when corruption investigations are intensifying across government agencies.
Adeyanju’s petition is part of broader efforts by civil society groups to combat corruption in Nigeria, which has been a long-standing issue across various sectors.
