The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets and Special Duties has given the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) a seven-day ultimatum to submit complete documentation on all its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreements.
This directive was issued during a public hearing in Abuja, where the committee assessed the performance of the NRC’s PPP arrangements and concessions.
Committee Chairman, Ademorin Kuye (APC-Lagos State) criticized the NRC for failing to meet previous requests for the necessary documentation.
The documents requested include:
– Copies of agreements for all PPP assets, including concessions, leases, and their start dates.
– Evidence of remittances to the Special Concession Account.
– Income profiles from PPPs and concessions.
– Detailed achievements within the period under review.
– Evidence of advertisements for PPPs or concessions, along with expressions of interest.
– Reports on challenges faced and recommendations for improved implementation.
– Budget performance records from 2021 to date, outlining planned and executed items.
– A sworn affidavit verifying the accuracy of all submitted documents.
Kuye also demanded a report on a viral video showing an individual stealing from a train station.
The committee noted similar thefts in states like Niger, Bauchi, Nasarawa, and Lagos and vowed to hold all perpetrators accountable.
Kuye warned that failure to meet the December 11, 2024, deadline would prompt the committee to invoke its constitutional powers against the NRC.
The acting Managing Director of NRC, Benjamin Iloanusi, apologized for the delays, citing miscommunication as the cause.
He explained that the corporation had previously submitted documents based on earlier correspondence but pledged to compile and submit the requested materials promptly.
Iloanusi also requested access to the viral video to aid the NRC’s internal investigation and help identify the individuals and stations involved.