The Neda Imasuen-led Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions has directed the chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to lift its stop-work order against a shipwreck removal contract awarded to Proforma Projects and Services Ltd. on February 2, 2023.

FIJ had earlier reported that MT Raniya, the shipwreck, had been grounded on the Kirikiri River in Lagos State for almost 20 years, recording a series of navigational crises and other safety concerns.

In 2023, the management of Proforma Projects secured the contract following newspaper advertisements.

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NIWA regulates Nigeria’s waterways. Under the leadership of Bola Oyebamiji, NIWA first ordered the contractor to stop work. It later ordered Proforma to resume work and then ordered it to stop work.

Soon after the contractor mobilised to the site, NIWA halted their work. It cited an adversary claim of ownership Renotec Nigeria Limited had made for the wreck.

The contractor later petitioned the Senate for a resolution of the contractual crisis.

A copy of the committee’s letter to the NIWA CEO.

Following a public hearing where all parties were present, the committee found that the disputing company had no valid case against the contract and subsequently directed the authorities at NIWA to lift its stop-work order immediately to allow the contractor to execute its job.

“The Committee has looked at the matter thoroughly based on the oral and written presentations made before it by NIWA, Messrs Proforma Projects and Services Limited and Renotec Nigeria Limited who is an interested party to the petition,” Neda Imasuen, a senator and chairman of the committee, wrote in a January 15 letter directed to the NIWA CEO.

“The Committee therefore directs that National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) should lift the Stop-Work Order and recall Messrs Proforma Projects and Services Limited to continue with the contract for the removal of Wreck MT Raniya from Kirikiri River of Lagos State waterways in accordance with the Wreck Removal Agreement between National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Messrs Proforma Projects and Services Limited.

A copy of the NIWA’s letter to the contractor.

“The above directive is premised on the fact that Messrs Proforma Projects and Services Limited has a valid contractual Agreement with NIWA and Renotec Nigeria Limited is not a party to the agreement and has not proved before the Committee with supporting evidence that it actually owns the Wreck, MT Raniya.

“Please, the recall of Messrs Proforma Projects and Services Limited to continue with the Wreck Removal should be treated with dispatch to enable the Committee report back to the Senate.”

A day after the committee’s directive, the NIWA issued a letter recalling the contractor to the site.

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“In furtherance of the Authority’s desire to settle this matter amicably, we hereby refer to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct & Public Petition Letter Referenced,” Dakio Horsfall, the acting general manager for marine services at NIWA, wrote in a letter addressed to the contractor on January 16.

“NASS/S/10/CPP/NIWA/2 dated 15/01/2025 wherein it has directed that the Authority issue a letter for resumption of work at the site.

“Therefore, I wish to convey management’s decision to redirect Proforma Projects and Services Limited to resume work at the site.”

On Sunday, Kalu Jonah, Proforma Projects and Services Limited CEO, told FIJ that the company was glad about the resolution of the matter.

“This is what God has done following our collective efforts,” Jonah said.

“FIJ’s investigative and highly constructive publication, no doubt, played a crucial role in achieving this result. Your efforts, unconditional and timely response really encouraged us. We appreciate you. God bless you, and bless FIJ.”
The post After FIJ’s Story, Senate Committee Directs NIWA to ‘Allow Proforma Projects to Do Its Job’ appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.