When Militancy pays: Nigeria's N16bn Deal With Tompolo.

Militancy seems to be the only language understood by the Federal Government and sooner than later some Boko Haram members would be flying in high places as some Niger Delta ex-militants are currently doing.

Asari Dokubo

Yes I now Fly a Private Jet 

Boyloaf

Former militant, Boyloaf, becomes presidential envoy; The former militant now travels overseas inspecting training facilities on behalf of the Federal Government. For agreeing to drop his arms and join the amnesty programme of the Federal Government, Ebikabowei Victor Ben, aka Boyloaf -(in dark goggles) has become a Presidential envoy embarking on international inspection visits on behalf of the Federal Government.

As part of his visits, Boyloaf recently led a delegation to Rotterdam to inspect proposed venues for the training of former militants. (Militancy is the only language understood by FG, sooner Boko Haram members would be made Special Advisers!) 

Tompolo

Government Ekpumopolo a.k.a Tompolo, an ex-militant leader is the owner of a private security company that recently signed a N16 billion deal with the government to patrol the Nigeria's waterways to stop piracy.

Tompolo, who was granted amnesty in 2009, endorsed hiring Global West Vessel Specialist Agency Ltd. to protect the waterways, something Nigeria's navy and civil authorities appear unable to do.

Before the amnesty, militants allied with Tompolo carried out attacks and killings in the southern Niger Delta.

The government brokered an amnesty deal with militants, but the N16 billion contract raises worries about the influence of former militants.

The award of waterways monitoring contract by Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to dreaded Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemukpolo (a.k.a. Tompolo) is scandalous. The contract, according to Sen. Idris Umar, Minister of Transport, was given to Tompolo’s company, Global West Vessel Specialist Agency (GWVSA) to execute. The company is expected to ‘only provide platforms, security boats, equipment and expertise to help in securing the nation’s waterways and thereby raise revenue.’ 
The minister said that GWVSA staff will not bear arms. But having concessioned the waterways to Tompolo’s company, we wonder what the duty of the Nigerian Navy will henceforth be on the nation’s waterways.

We consider as arrant nonsense the position that the company will provide as investment for the contract the sum of $103million. How can the company invest such a colossal amount only to wait for a specified target to be exceeded before recouping its money”? What is the antecedent of the company to warrant the approval of such a sensitive contract to it? Moreover, Tompolo is never known to have engaged in or embarked on any known adventure other than his leadership of an illegal militant group that inflicted pain and anguish on the people. He has also alongside fellow militants, extorted money from the government through kidnappings and abductions of Nigerians and foreigners.
Are proceeds from this kind of illicit trade what the government expects Tompolo to use in executing a lawful and sensitive contract? Or could it be that the ex-militant is merely fronting for some powerful elements in government?

The contract itself is fraught with inconsistencies. The government, through Umar, has failed to be explicit on what the revenue targets of NIMASA for 2010 and 2011 were. The entire figures were left by the minister in the realm of conjecture - a mere assumption of $100million.This is unacceptable and we demand full disclosure of the exact target that should be surpassed before GWVSA can be entitled to payment from the government. 
Furthermore, why should the government allow NIMASA to award the contract to Tompolo’s company without due process? Up till now, the government has not announced names of other companies that bided for the contract with GWVSA. Could it be taken that contrary to provisions of the procurement laws in the nation, NIMASA’s enabling Act allows it to award contracts with impunity, as was the case in the prevailing circumstance?

The MoU purportedly signed between the Navy and NIMASA is inconsistent to the extent of its undermining of the territorial water security of the nation. We ask; can the Navy not be funded to purchase all the equipment and other instruments needed to effectively protect the nation’s territorial waters? What could be responsible for the Navy’s acquiescence to this affront on its integrity and competence?

The government’s initial denial of existence of this contract and the latest confirmation show that there must be something immoral and fishy in the entire deal. Militants in the Niger Delta region, past or present, should not be entrusted with the nation’s territorial waters because of their proclivity, over time, for committing illegality on the waters.

We consider the contract award to Tompolo’s company as one of the most unpardonable decisions ever taken by the President Jonathan administration. To cede the nation’s marine security to a company owned by a militant is questionable. It constitutes an insult to the sensibility of Nigerians and we doubt whether such decision can pass the security scrutiny of any decent and well governed country.