FG Takes Serious Action As Company Steals Money Meant To Train Ex-Niger Delta Militants
- The training contract awarded to Express Concern International (ECN) has been revoked by the federal government
- According to the FG, the contract was for the training for Niger Delta ex-agitators in its novel Train, Employ and Mentor (TEM) scheme
- Meanwhile, FG says it had also activated its internal mechanism to retrieve the money it paid to the firm through a performance bond provided by the company
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Following allegation of diversion, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) says it has revoked the training contract awarded to Express Concern International (ECN) for Niger Delta ex-agitators in its novel Train, Employ and Mentor (TEM) scheme over breach of the agreement.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Neotabase Egbe, the Special Adviser, Media to the Interim Administrator, Col. Milland Dikio (retd), Daily Trust reports.
He said the termination followed an allegation by a group, Concerned Indigenes of Oil Mineral Producing States Forum (CIOMPSF), that the company diverted funds it received from the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
He said:
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“The attention of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has been drawn to reports that a contractor, Express Concerns International Limited, has diverted money paid to them to train 90 ex-agitators in the agriculture value chain.
“Indeed, the PAP had contracted Express Concerns International Limited to train its beneficiaries. But the contract was terminated via a letter dated June 14th, 2022 because the contractor breached the terms of the agreement.
“Contracts are not awarded to just anybody who submits a proposal, but to serious contractors, who have the capacity to deliver their contractual obligations.
“However, each job awarded by PAP has an insurance bond that ensures the scheme recovers its money in the event of default by contractors. Consequently, the PAP wrote to the guaranteeing firm/insurance company for the recovery of the mobilization fee paid to the company.
“While the management of the PAP acknowledges the interests shown by various stakeholders in the affairs of PAP, let it be known that deliberate measures were put in place to reform contractual processes and block all loopholes that could be capitalized upon to dupe the programme.
“We want to further assure all stakeholders that PAP’s contracts are designed for the benefits of the programme’s beneficiaries and not for the enrichment of any contractor.”
Top Delta PDP former minister officially dumps party, moves to APC ahead of 2023 election
Meanwhile, a former minister of Niger Delta Affairs under the administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Godsday Orubebe has formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Orubebe, a staunch member of the PDP had earlier announced that he was leaving the opposition party. Although he never mentioned the party he would be joining at the time, Orubebe said he was leaving the PDP because the present situation in the party does not inspire confidence.
He also said that the opposition has not shown readiness to regain power from the ruling party, APC. Addressing members of the Ijaw family on Friday, July 1, the former minister said he joined the APC to deliver all five candidates to the party, especially those in the Burutu local government area of Delta state.
Source: Legit.ng
