Reps probe Tukur, Baraje over N1tr rail projects

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Former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Bamanga Tukur, and three other successive chairmen of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) have been summoned by the House of Representatives over alleged N1trillion rail contracts.

Tukur, alongside another former chairman of the party, who is now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abubakar Kawu Baraje, Ambassador Ladan Shuni and Halliru Bello are scheduled to appear before the lawmakers’ investigative committee on trail transport on Thursday.

Tukur had served as the chairman of the NRC following his resignation as the PDP national chairman.

Minister of transport, Rotimi Amaechi was also invited by the panel to give account on the rehabilitation of rail tracks, standard gauge, bridges, coaches, wagons and locomotives between 2010 and 2014.

Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Rep Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma (PDP Edo) told journalists at the weekend that the essence of the probe was not to witch hunt anybody but to let Nigerians know how their tax money is being spent.
“In the court of law you are innocent until proven guilty. We will adhere to fair hearing but anyone found wanting will be exposed.
“Like I said earlier, this rail contract probe is not primarily designed to rubbish anybody but we must unearth how every kobo was spent and let Nigerians know how it was spent,” he said.
He said all relevant stakeholders were invited by the committee to give their accounts so as to arrive at a holistic understanding and subsequent action by the House.

“The Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi was also invited to tell us all he knows, though he just assumed office but you know government is a continuum,” he added.

The lawmakers’ investigation followed a motion on NRC on the award of contracts for rehabilitation of railway tracks, maintenance of bridges and procurement/rehabilitation of coaches and locomotives from 2010-2014.

Source: Daily Trust